Welcome to the Winter 2009 issue of the
Wesleyan Magazine! As our cover suggests,
we are celebrating the inspiring leadership
of Wesleyan women in ministry and service to
others - from the pulpit and the pew. Founded
with a philosophy of servant leadership as
a cornerstone of our mission, the College
continues to build on that historic legacy. Our
Wesleyan experience, now as always, is defined
by academic excellence in the liberal arts, faith
and intrinsic values, and a commitment to
serving the world community. That experience
has influenced countless Wesleyan women to
serve as both clergy and lay leaders in churches
and ministries throughout the country and
beyond. You will enjoy learning more about
those we highlight in this issue.

Cathy Coxey Snow ’71

Director of Alumnae Affairs

csnow@wesleyancollege.edu

Melissa Landrum

Assistant Director of

Alumnae Affairs

mlandrum@wesleyancollege.edu

Wende Sanderson Meyer von Bremen ’80

Class Notes Editor

Printing
Panaprint
Photography
Cover by Grant Blankenship.
Special thanks to Neal Carpenter
at inWard Studio, Roger Idenden,
Grant Blankenship, Jason Vorhees,
plus alumnae and friends for
providing photos.
Wesleyan Magazine is published
twice a year by the Wesleyan College
Office of Communications
4760 Forsyth Road
Macon, GA 31210-4462
phone (478) 757-5134
fax (478) 757-5104
Contents may be reprinted
with permission of the editor.

We also bring you examples of current students
in ministry and service to others, including
through our Wesleyan Disciples program. In
their own words, these young women tell
us about the impact this thriving program is
having on their personal growth and spiritual
development as they lead Sunday Chapel and
Bible study and organize community projects
on and off campus. We hope you’ll connect
with these students and then help spread
the word of our successful campus ministry
programs. Encourage a young woman in your
congregation or community to visit campus
and feel the excitement herself!
As we expand and enrich the spiritual life
at Wesleyan, we are determined as well to
create a permanent home for our faith based
programs once again. Many of you remember
the first Pierce Chapel that was an integral
part of our original campus on College Street.
Since our move to Forsyth Road more than
75 years ago, chapel services have rotated
among several locations including the Benson
Room of the Candler Alumnae Building where
we meet now. With the encouragement and
support of alumnae, students, faculty, and
friends alike, the College has set as a priority
the design and construction of a new Pierce
Chapel, named for Wesleyan’s first president
Bishop George Foster Pierce and honoring
the many members of his family who have
continued to lead and serve the College. We
are in the early stages yet, but more news will
follow soon.

Other exciting reports include Wesleyan’s
success with the prestigious Phi Kappa Phi
Graduate Fellowship Award Program, our
campus-wide commitment to sustainability,
and a new Master of Education degree
program. We also feature several wonderful
students who have taken a non-traditional
route to Wesleyan and whose talents add
considerably to campus life. If you’re looking
for Class Notes, don’t worry –– you’ll find lots
and lots of those online!
Be prepared for this issue to take a bit longer
to read than usual. The reason is that we’ve
combined the feature articles and content
of our Wesleyan Magazine with the donor
information of our Annual Report, all in an
effort to use our precious resources wisely
without sacrificing the fun of sharing great
stories about Wesleyan in a timely manner.
Instead of a spring magazine, fall magazine,
and annual report, we published a larger
summer issue and now a larger winter issue
that includes our year-end results. So, we use
the second half of this combined publication
to thank each of you who supported Wesleyan
College this year through gifts to scholarships,
endowment, special projects, and the Annual
Fund. We do thank you!
Despite the economic challenges that affect
us all, your loyal support continues to be
unwavering –– and we are grateful beyond
measure for the generosity of so many. You are
helping us enrich and expand our academic
and co-curricular programs, to be sure. Just
as important, you are helping to ensure that
every qualified woman, young and not so
young, can enjoy a Wesleyan experience that
will inspire her to become a leader in service
to her church, profession, and community ––
as every Wesleyan woman should. Thank you
for that priceless gift.
This issue is filled with love, hope, and our very
best wishes to you all!

C o n t en t s
We s le yan Magazin e W int er 2 0 0 9

2
8
12
15
18
24

Wesleyan Women in Ministry
From pulpit and pew, engaged in service to the world

Preparing New Disciples
Campus ministry creates broad witness

Helping Ugandan Mwana
One Wesleyanneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s journey to Humble School

Photo by Grant Blankenship
Pictured: the Reverend Harriette James Simmons â&#x20AC;&#x2122;64,
2interim rector of Christ Church in Macon.

Wesleyan
women in
ministry

T

hroughout the last two millennia, few issues have been as
controversial in religious circles as the role of women serving as pastors and preachers. As Western culture shifts its
view of women, awareness of womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rights spreads across
the world. Modern culture continues to influence biblical
interpretation, inviting serious debate about how women

serve the church. While denominations and local churches redefine their
roles for future leaders, many Wesleyan alumnae are already fully engaged
in ministry and serve with passion, despite challenges, from pulpit and pew.
They view ministry as a vocation, both a career and a calling. And they claim
women must use their unique gifts to minister as pastors, missionaries,
teachers, historians, and counselors.
Although women make up the majority of most congregations, relatively
few women actually serve in positions of authority. It is estimated that half
of all persons in seminary are women, yet only ten percent of all clergy
in the United States are women and only three percent of congregation
leaders are women. The United Methodist Church recently celebrated its
fiftieth year of ordaining women into ministry. In 1976, eleven women were
ordained in Philadelphia before the Episcopal Church changed its laws
to permit female ordination. The Unitarian Universalist religion is the first
major faith group with a majority of female clergy.

However, according to researcher Bruce A.
Robinson with the Ontario Consultants on
Religious Tolerance, many Christian faith
groups still refuse to consider women for
ordination, including the Roman Catholic
Church, all Eastern Orthodox churches, a
minority of provinces within the Anglican
Communion, the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, and many
fundamentalist and other evangelical
Protestant denominations. Clergywomen
who face opposition must challenge
interpretation of scripture. Opponents
of female ordination cite St. Paul’s words
in 1 Timothy 2:2: “I permit no woman to
teach or have authority over men; she is
to keep silent.” Proponents also point to
St. Paul’s words, in Galatians 3:28: “There
is neither male nor female; for you are all
one in Christ Jesus.”
In a report published in 2002, Women’s
Path Into Ministry: Six Major Studies,
religious researcher Dr. Edward C. Lehman,
Jr. argued that women’s ordination is one of
the most significant recent developments
in American religion, fostering change in
churchgoers’ attitudes toward women in
leadership and expanding the concept of
ministry beyond the local congregation.
Drawing upon research conducted
between 1982 and 1998, Lehman claimed
that women have successfully navigated
seminary education and, at the same time,
introduced many changes in theological
education. Despite female success in
seminary, some denominations still resist or
refuse to accept women as pastoral leaders.
Lehman contends that the position of
those who discriminate against women
in the church is incompatible with core
Judeo-Christian values of justice, freedom,
and other-centered love. Ironically, he
says, secular institutions such as politics,
industry, business, law, education, and
sports are doing a better job of applying those values than are churches that
subordinate women as a matter of policy.
As more church members recognize that
discrepancy between Christian values and
exclusionary policies, church structures
will continue to open up to women.
Although Lehman predicted that evolution could take a generation or even a
century to occur, many Wesleyan women
are working to speed the process. Though
they admit gender discrimination exists,
they are not deterred and claim ministering skills and gifts are not gender-specific.
Many Wesleyan women in ministry credit
their alma mater for preparing them to
pursue advanced degrees, formal training,
and leadership roles. Paige Getty ’93 realizes that, perhaps because of the progress
made by her older female colleagues, she
4

has never felt particularly oppressed or
mistreated. At Wesleyan she was nurtured
just enough, and challenged even more,
so that she could confidently recognize
her gifts for ministry. Paige earned a
Master of Divinity from Harvard University
in 1999 and currently serves as minister of
the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of
Columbia, Maryland.
When Ann Godwin Denham ’57 was growing up in the Methodist Church, women
could not be ministers and were excluded
from full ordination. Although she had
never seen a woman in the formal role,
Ann was inspired by tales of her great
grandmother, who rode a mule with her
two young daughters to speak at camp
meetings on the frontiers of Tennessee.
As a teen, Ann talked openly about her
dream of becoming a preacher.
“One of my male friends at church
warned me: no man will marry you,” she
recalled. “Wow, I thought. Of course I
would marry; these were the fifties, after
all!” Ann married after her junior year at
Wesleyan. Four years and three babies
later, she returned to school and finished
her degree. In 1963 Ann graduated from
Northeastern while her husband earned
a doctorate from Harvard. After relocating to Tennessee, Ann, then in her late
thirties, enrolled in divinity school at
Vanderbilt University. She was fairly well
accepted though she was the only woman
in the pastoral program and there were no
women on the faculty. Ann was the only
woman in her graduating class of 1971. She
has been told she is the second woman in
Tennessee to become an ordained deacon
in The United Methodist Church.
Ann was ordained, but never served as
pastor. “Jobs were hard to come by.
Still, I’ve always known myself as called
to preach,” she said. “I see preaching
now as a willingness to share knowledge,
self, and life.” In 1982, Ann surrendered
her ordination and was confirmed as a
Catholic. Today she volunteers at her
parish, serves on committees, teaches
scripture, organizes fundraisers, and leads
retreats. She co-authored a book with Gert
Wilkinson, Cloister of the Heart: Association
of Contemplative Sisters. Though some
Catholic policy concerns Ann, she’s found
her home. Catholics, she said, are hungry
for scripture. Now that women are giving
Gospel Reflections at mass, she feels her
gift for preaching has been given back to her.
Over the years, female scholars pursued
religious study and earned degrees that
could not advance their careers. Today,
though most congregants still prefer male
clergy in the pulpit, women hold a great

number of leadership positions in many
churches. Jennifer Stiles Williams ’93 currently
serves as the minister of relational evangelism
at St. Luke’s in Orlando, the largest United
Methodist Church in the Florida conference.
As her career advanced, she served twice
in churches in which she was both the first
woman and the youngest pastor.
“The challenges for women in ministry
are very different from those faced by our
male colleagues,” Jennifer said. “From
the pitch of your voice to being a voice of
authority in issues of finances, from being
pregnant in the pulpit to things as silly
as rethinking the wireless microphone
because you don’t have a belt.” Jennifer
has helped grow the membership of several churches in small communities, and
admitted that a bit of notoriety surrounds
her because of the interest people have
in the novelty of a woman pastor. She
feels that in a church now where there are
two main preaching voices, a male and a
female, many members find themselves
going to two services because they enjoy
different perspectives on the same scripture.
According to Jennifer, there is something
unique and distinctive about the gifts
of women in ministry. She sees women
leading with less hierarchy in a flat system
of staff and laity. “This leadership is
pivotal in postmodern emerging church
ministries and is attractive to younger
generations in our culture looking for a
different definition of church. People are
looking for a different, more accessible
voice to help them experience a faith
journey, and hearing a woman pastor may
offer them an entry point into the church.
And honestly,” she said, “the story of the
birth of Jesus during a candle lit Christmas
Eve service just has a different feel when it’s
preached by a nine-month pregnant woman,
weeks away from birthing her first son.”
Jennifer’s first encounter with someone
opposed to women ministers was at a Bible
study in Macon while she was a Wesleyan
student. A man from another denomination
told Jennifer, whose father was a minister at
the time, that while women teaching Sunday
School was fine, women leading congregations went against God’s ordinances and
would be punishable in hell. While Jennifer
was in college, both her mother and her
sister became pastors and were ordained
into The United Methodist Church. Jennifer
said, “I had never actually known a woman
pastor before my sister entered seminary in
the 1980s, but ironically, I also never even
considered this was an issue for people.”
Jennifer claimed the pioneering efforts
of Bishop Charlene Payne Kammerer ’70
encouraged her to explore in depth what

“What is that old adage? We make our plans
and God laughs?” Ann Godwin Denham ’57
it means to be a woman in leadership.
Kammerer attended Garrett-Evangelical
Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois,
where she earned both the Master of
Christian Education and Master of Divinity and discovered her calling to preach,
leading to her ordination as deacon in
1975 and elder in 1977 in the Florida
Conference of The United Methodist
Church. In 1991, she received the Doctor
of Ministry degree from United Theological
Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Kammerer is a
Wesleyan woman of many “firsts,” including being the first woman ordained as a
United Methodist minister in Florida; the
first woman in the United States to be
appointed as Minister to a University or
Dean of a Chapel, serving in that capacity
at Duke University in 1983-84; and the first
woman to be a District Superintendent in
Florida, where she served the Tallahassee
District from 1987 until 1993. In 1996, she
made history again when she became
the first woman elected bishop in the
nine-state Southeastern Jurisdiction of
The United Methodist Church. Bishop
Kammerer served eight years in the
Western North Carolina Conference and
currently serves in the Virginia Conference,
where she displays courage, conviction,
and compassion as the spiritual leader for
hundreds of thousands of United Methodists.

In May of 2007, Kammerer returned to
Wesleyan to receive an honorary Doctor
of Divinity and delivered a powerful commencement address. “When The United
Methodist Church made it difficult for me
to be ordained because of my gender,”
she said to the graduating seniors, “I had
to fight to not let the church rob me of my
calling. Over and over again, as the church
has appointed me to serve, my very presence has opened doors that had long been
closed to women. I cannot imagine not
being in ministry, for it is my vocation. It is
who I am. It has never been easy –– being a
wife, minister, mother, and grandmother, in
that order –– but it has been extraordinarily
fulfilling. Part of my journey has been to
mentor other women who themselves have
felt called to ordained ministry, but didn’t
know anyone who was living that life. I have
known several Wesleyan women, who were
in my congregations or in campus ministry
where I served, who are now ordained and
serving in many ways. This brings me great
joy.”

As more women become ordained
across the country, some leaders claim to
experience wider understanding and acceptance from their local congregations.
The Reverend Harriette James Simmons
’64 is currently serving as interim rector of
Christ Church, the oldest church in Macon.
Established in 1825, this Episcopal church
has a congregation of approximately
seven hundred. Before Harriette decided
to enter seminary, she married, had four
children, sold real estate, and worked
in a bank. She was baptized, confirmed,
and married in the Episcopal Church.
Throughout her adult life, she had always
been involved with her church and, for
years, her friends encouraged her to
pursue seminary.

“I knew for a long time I should do this,”
she said. “I was just scared to.” When
her youngest daughter was ten years
old, Harriette woke up one morning with
the resolve to try. So she, her husband,
and their youngest daughter moved to
Suwanee, Tennessee, where she enrolled
and spent two years at the University of
the South. “My husband joked that I
must be having a mid-life crisis!” said
Harriette. “But he has been enormously
supportive.”
In 1994, Harriette earned a Master of
Divinity from Emory University. Within a
year, she was serving as priest at Christ
Church. In 1997, Wesleyan presented
Reverend Simmons with the Alumnae
Award for Distinguished Service to the
Church. She moved to Augusta in 2002
and served as associate rector at St.
Paul’s and rector at St. Augustine’s before
returning to Macon in 2008. According
to Simmons, women’s involvement in the
church is increasing. She feels that God
sent her to Christ Church to accomplish
several important goals: increase attendance, re-engage inactive members,
re-claim former members, and make sure
everyone is happy.
Like Harriette, many Wesleyan women
in ministry have serious goals to grow
membership and manage large budgets.
When Reverend Jenny Jackson-Adams
‘62 entered the field of ministry, she
followed the footsteps of her father,
grandfather, and great grandfather who
were all Methodist ministers. She is well

respected for her leadership and vision,
and earned recognition from former
President Jimmy Carter who praised her
ministry in a chapter of his book, Living
Faith (Random House,1996). Currently,
she is the senior pastor of Perry United
Methodist Church, a fast growing church
with approximately 1,400 members. Prior
to entering the field, Jenny taught history
and anthropology and worked in radio
and television advertising and broadcasting. In 1989, Reverend Jackson-Adams
served as pastor of Morningside UMC in
Americus, Georgia. Under her leadership,
membership increased 300% and the
operating budget tripled.
According to a 2006 New York Times article
reporting research from Duke University
Divinity School, men and women usually
hold similar positions in their first decade
after ordination. However, in their second
decade in ordination, seventy percent of
men have moved to larger congregations
compared to only thirty-seven percent of
women. As a result, women tend to leave
church positions at a higher rate than men
and the attractiveness of ministry as a
career choice may be lessened. But even
when leadership positions are available,
according to Jennifer A. Johnson ’92,
many women clergy must balance career
ambitions with family responsibilities.
In 2007, Jennifer was named associate
pastor of children’s and family ministries
at First Presbyterian Church in Ashland,
Mississippi. Although Jennifer served
as pastor of two churches in Mississippi
prior to moving to Ashland, she considers
her current role as associate pastor to be
“her dream job” because it allows her to
concentrate on her particular mission of
working with young adults.
When Judy Johnson Whitwer ’59 attended
seminary, women were expected to go
into mission work or Christian education,
and that’s what she did. She served as
director of Christian education at First
Congregational Church in Norwood,
Massachusetts, before she married her
husband, Reverend Ken Whitwer. “In
the 70s women were becoming more
accepted in ministry,” she said. “Women
have been in ministry in our denomination
since the 1860s, so the IDEA of ordained
women was not new but there weren’t
Continued on page 42

Photo by Grant Blankenship

The everyday ministry of Annie Mae
In 1933, Annie Mae Leonard (Mitcham
’90) was a third grader in a one-room
schoolhouse in Butler, Georgia. Her
teacher, a loving and caring woman,
would let Annie Mae lay her head on
her shoulder and she’d tell Annie she
was going to grow up to be somebody.
“That’s what she said. Just like that. I
remember the place, the time. I was only
eight years old and I remember it to this
day,” said Annie Mae. “That encouraged
me, and that’s why I’ve always tried to
encourage children.”
Annie Mae understood that when you
give love away, you get love in return.
She credits the Lord for the blessing of
that understanding and, over the years,
has encouraged countless children to
achieve their fullest potential. They grow
up, become successful, and tell her that
she made the difference –– that they are
successful because she told them they
would be. And because she told them to
never give up.
Annie Mae Leonard married Wilbur
“Chef” Mitcham in 1944, and immediately
they began a family. Annie knew it was
important to set an example, so while
their children were in school, she took
correspondence courses, went to night
school, and earned a high school diploma
from the Dudley M. Hughes Vocational
School. Annie and her husband reared
and educated ten children.
Inspired by Annie’s strong spirit, her
children worked hard to earn scholarships
that helped them graduate from top
universities like Vanderbilt, Mercer,
Ft. Valley State, and the University of
Philadelphia with degrees in engineering,
medicine, and education. Her youngest
daughter, Dr. Julia Mitcham Daniley,
earned a doctorate degree in education
and is assistant principal at Northeast
High School in Macon. “My mother has
been an inspiration to not only her own
children, but to all people,” she said. “I
am blessed. It took me some time to
decide what I wanted to do with my life
and she never took her hands off me. For
that, I am thankful!”

When her youngest child graduated
from college, Annie enrolled at Mercer
University and studied there for two
years before transferring to Wesleyan.
Annie Mae was the oldest student in
her classes and admitted that was a
little uncomfortable at first, but she
wasn’t intimidated. “I knew why I was
there,” she said. Believing there was
“no resting time,” Annie Mae went to
school in the mornings and worked as a
teacher’s aid at Danforth Primary School
in the afternoons. In 1990, at the age of
sixty-four, Annie Mae Leonard Mitcham
graduated from Wesleyan College with a
bachelor’s degree in religious studies.
Annie Mae grew up the youngest of
twelve children. Her mother reared her
family working as a maid and taught Annie
that in order to be successful, one had to
accept Christ as her personal Savior and
put him first in everything she does. At
the age of thirteen, Annie Mae did just
that. She was baptized in an outdoor
pool at Hopewell Baptist Church. “That’s
when the Lord came into my heart and
told me he loved me,” she said. “When
you feel loved, all that low self-esteem
and selfishness just goes away. And then,
you can start giving love.”
Annie Mae kept reading the Bible, which
she now calls her weapon, and continued
to grow in her faith. “My goal was to
come out of college prepared to teach
religious training at Memorial Baptist
Church,” where she has been a member
for sixty-five years.

own prison ministry by corresponding
with youth who have taken the wrong
path. “I tell them that what they did was
wrong, but with faith in God, they can
be forgiven,” she said. She encourages
young people “to keep the faith, grow,
and move forward. Then, reach back and
get one…bring another one along.”
Annie Mae Mitcham is not an ordained
minister. She thinks she can be more
effective with her everyday ministry,
spreading love and care to children
and elderly friends. With passion, she
volunteers at church, always reminding
others who and why to worship. Annie
Mae’s work ethic, strong belief in
education, and spirituality have been
passed down to twenty-six grand children
and several great grandchildren.
Granddaughter Shynita Dudley is a junior
at Wesleyan and part of the Pioneer
Teachers Program, working toward a
degree in early childhood education.
Shynita credits her grandmother for
her academic success thus far. “I grew
up knowing education was a priority,
but that spirituality was ultimate,” said
Shynita. “My grandmother has had a
remarkable influence on my life and it
is an honor to follow in her footsteps at
Wesleyan.”

Today she teaches Sunday School to
high school seniors and serves as a
trustee and a Sunday School advisor at
Memorial Baptist Church. Located on
Norris Street in Macon and built in 1924,
Annie’s church “is like a second home to
her family and is a congregation of one
hundred members.” All ten Mitcham
children were baptized at Memorial
Baptist.
Annie also volunteers at Progressive
Christian Academy (a private elementary
school in Macon) and The Tubman African
American Museum, and conducts her

Wesleyan Magazine Winter 2009

W
is
e
Photos by Neal Carpenter

8

Preparing
new

“Being surrounded by smart,
driven women with a passion
for God has made me so
much stronger in my faith.
The women in my Bible study
challenge what I know, hold
me accountable to my faith,
and provide a shoulder to
lean on in rough times. I’ve
realized that in order to
speak about my faith and
teach a Bible study, I have
to be where I need to be
with Christ first.” Wesleyan
Disciple Taylor Bishop
Leaders of the Methodist Church were instrumental in the 1836 founding
of Wesleyan, the very first college in the world to grant degrees to women.
Today Wesleyan remains deeply committed to her long-standing affiliation
with The United Methodist Church and continues to build on the ideals of the
church through dynamic programs for Wesleyan women. Complementing
Wesleyan’s outstanding academic program, faith and service organizations
like the Methodist Wesley Foundation, Baptist Collegiate Ministries, Gospel
Choir, Catholic Newman Club, Inter Varsity, Lane Center Servant Leaders, and
Episcopal Canterbury Club invigorate our campus. One program, Wesleyan
Disciples, is particularly exciting.
Wesleyan Magazine Summer 2009

In 2005, under the inspiring leadership of beloved chaplain Reverend Bill
Hurdle, the College developed Wesleyan Disciples, an innovative student
program designed to create a broad Christian witness on campus. The
program began with just six students who were all committed to spiritual
formation, intentional Bible study, servant leadership, and the practice
of a healthy lifestyle. Wesleyan provided minimal scholarships to these
students who agreed to make a special commitment to the Christian faith
and to community-wide servant leadership.

Immediately successful, the program grew to fourteen students by its
second year. Currently, the group boasts twenty-eight members, and
generous donor support has allowed scholarships to double to $1,000
for each year a Disciple serves. The interdenominational, inter-racial,
and international group leads spiritual life on campus and serves in the
Realizing Our Dream of Pierce Chapel
After many years of anticipation, the College
has set as a priority the design and construction
of Pierce Chapel, named for Wesleyan’s first
president Bishop George Foster Pierce and
honoring the many members of his family who
have continued to lead and serve the College.
While the first Pierce Chapel was an integral part
of campus life at the original conservatory on
College Street, our chapel services have rotated
among several locations at the Rivoli Campus
for more than 75 years, including the Benson
Room of the Candler Alumnae Building currently.
Alumnae, students, faculty, and friends alike have
championed for a signature facility to house the
College’s chapel services, Chaplain, and rapidly
growing faith-based programs. The new Pierce
Chapel will be designed with a capacity of about
300-350, giving us the ability to use the space
on occasion as a music performance venue for
organ, piano, and choral concerts and recitals
that call for a more intimate setting than the much
larger auditorium in the Porter Family Memorial
Fine Arts Building. The design and construction
of the Pierce Chapel will require $5,000,000.
Wesleyan’s renewed and increasingly effective
emphasis on faith and shared values reflects both
our historic roots and our purpose for the future,
and this aspect of Wesleyan’s mission should have
a permanent home in Pierce Chapel. To learn of
naming opportunities available in Pierce Chapel
and other ways to support our dream, please
call Debbie Smith in the Office of Institutional

community, honoring their commitment to theological study and servant

Advancement at (478) 757-5131.

Sunday night worship services with an average attendance of forty or

10

leadership. Each student Disciple assumes major responsibility for the
planning and leadership of all Christian worship services during the year,
especially Sunday Chapel. In addition, she agrees to be involved in a study
session that has a Biblical emphasis once each week and to be an active
participant in designated service opportunities throughout the year.

“Through Wesleyan Disciples, I found a core group of Christian friends that
I can rely on and who empower me,” said Florence Priester. “Although we
come from different places and different churches, we all have the same
desire to be strengthened spiritually, to explore the Scripture, and to serve
as leaders on the campus and in the community. During Bible studies, we
try to have a lot of open discussion and we try to ask and answer questions
that go beyond just the surface of a story or text. Studying and discussing
with fellow Wesleyan Disciples in Bible studies has caused me to think
more deeply about the Bible and about my own spiritual journey. When
I first joined the group as a freshman, I never dreamed that I would one
day be a leader of the group! I feel that God has led me to find an inner
strength that I didn’t know I had.”

According to Wesleyan Chaplain Bill Hurdle, the Disciples make a major
spiritual impact on the campus. “It is rewarding to watch these students
grow both in terms of their spirituality and in the ability to witness publicly
in their own way,” he said. “This transformation is spilling over into the
lives of many others. This year, the Disciples planned and led nearly thirty

more students. These same students led more than fifty hours of Bible
study. While they were accomplishing the foregoing, they logged over one
thousand hours of volunteer service, both on and off campus.”

Miriam Oakes became a Disciple during her first year at Wesleyan and
values Sunday Chapel as an opportunity to get away from the stress of
school. “As Chapel Music Chair, I find the worship aspect particularly close
to my heart, and I absolutely love getting a chance to worship with my
sisters,” she said. “Wesleyan Disciples has helped my spiritual growth in

Methodist Scholarship Opportunities
Wesleyan is proud of its long relationship with
The United Methodist Church and offers several
scholarships for Methodist students. The Wesleyan
College United Methodist Student Scholarship of
$1,000-$5,000 per year is awarded to incoming
students of Methodist faith and is renewable
for eight semesters. Also, Wesleyan connects
students with other scholarship, grant, and loan
opportunities available through Methodistaffiliated organizations. Nominate a prospective
student for one of these scholarships:

ways that I am continuing to discover. Having the opportunity to lead the
worship has given me the chance to grow in God more than I ever thought
I could. It has given me perspective about how God reaches people and
how he reaches me; he has taught me how to speak his word through
music, and not to be afraid of it.”

Taylor Bishop joined Wesleyan Disciples last year as a first-year student

The Mary Knox McNeill Scholarship is one of
Wesleyan’s most prestigious award programs.
It provides two $16,000 scholarships annually to
first year students who demonstrate outstanding
academic achievement along with a commitment
to faith and community service. Each scholarship
recipient actively participates in the Wesleyan
Disciples Program.

and is already taking a leadership role in the planning of Sunday Chapel
services. This semester, she’s also taking a Readings of Religion class and
loves it. “My favorite book of the Bible is Colossians. It’s a call to action!
A call to love! It holds such a powerful message! I’ve never felt a call to
the ministry. But this past summer, I was given the opportunity to lead
the youth at my home church in Moultrie and it truly was one of the most
enriching and life changing experiences to date...so who knows what God
has in store for my life,” she said.

“I value the deep connection that everyone in the group has. The feeling that
twice a week, you can pour your heart out to women who know exactly what
you’re going through,” said Taylor. “During Bible study or before chapel,
it’s a perfect time to share what’s going on in your life with friends who want
to hear it. I love the sense of family I have among the Wesleyan Disciples,
not to mention that every single woman in the group is loads of fun!”

Many have connected on a personal level with Wesleyan Disciples,
according to Hurdle. “The program was immediately successful with
students and has unlimited potential to train Christian leaders who will
set high examples among their peers,” he said. “Because of our student
Disciples, Wesleyan is inspired by the possibility of expanding the faithbased programs on our campus and we hope that members of The United

The Margaret Pitts Endowed Scholarship awards
financial support to Methodist women who have
held leadership positions in their churches and
schools. Margaret Pitts was a devout Methodist
who was generous with both her resources and
time to Methodist causes throughout her long
life. This scholarship has been funded through the
generous support of the William I.H. and Lula E.
Pitts Foundation, which was established by and
named for Margaret Pitts’ parents.
The Era Monk Bryan Scholarship honors the
memory of Era Monk Bryan, class of 1897, and
the seven generations of her family serving the
Methodist Church as ministers. This scholarship is
awarded annually to one or more students who
are active members of a United Methodist Church
congregation and are planning to pursue a
career in either clergy or lay service in The United
Methodist Church.
The W. Stiles and Eula May Booth Scholarship
was inspired by Christ’s instructions to “feed
my lambs.” The fund benefits a junior or senior
student in the Wesleyan Disciples program who is
involved and participates in a local chapter of the
United Methodist Women.

Methodist Church will help spread the word about Wesleyan Disciples,
raise scholarship funds, and recruit more students.”
Wesleyan Magazine Winter 2009

Helping Ugandan Mwana
By Loving Example
One Wesleyan missionary’s journey to Humble School
“On my first trip to Africa, I realized
something – looking at pictures in National
Geographic and being there are entirely
different things. Twelve of us were on a
mission trip in June 2009 to conduct training
for local pastors and a Vacation Bible School
for area children. Our first day was a normal
workday in Kampala, Uganda’s capital. Men
on motorcycles waited on street corners.
Open-air markets sold a variety of produce
and meat, purchased daily due to lack
of refrigeration. The mode of dress was
primarily American, although many women
wore traditional garb, carrying children
in slings on their back and all manner of
bundles on their heads.
The ‘bush’ was a bleaker picture. Rarely
were roads paved and potholes dropped
twelve inches or more. Vehicles were scarce
and every available square foot was used
to grow potatoes, sugar cane, and beans.
People walked for miles to get water.
Children played in front of the places where
they lived – some clothed, some not – as
women cooked on open fires and washed
clothes in a dishpan. ‘Wealthy’ people had
doors and windows in their houses, which
sat next to mud huts with thatched roofs.
Everywhere we went, children ran wildly
to the van in which we rode, calling out
Mazoonga or ‘white man,’ a term synonymous
with ‘money.’
In this environment, thousands of African
children are orphaned each year by HIV/
AIDS, civil war, or poor health and nutrition.
Also in this environment, Humble School
was born.”
Sally Anderson Hemingway ‘79
12

The Humble United Methodist School was

their plans to develop a secondary school.

will be relatively easy for the scholarship

the vision of a group of United Methodists

Being acutely aware of my renewed

recipient to assimilate into life at Wesleyan

in the United States who dreamed of a

enthusiasm for all things Wesleyan,

College,” said Hemingway.

partnership with The United Methodist

the seed of a Humble School graduate

Church in Uganda to create a place where

attending Wesleyan on a full scholarship

“The people of East Africa need to

orphaned children could grow up in safety,

was planted in his mind.”

know they aren’t adrift in the world, that

be cared for and given a balanced diet and
medical care, and receive an education.

they’re a part of the larger connection,”
In 2009, Wesleyan announced its decision

said

Hemingway.

“We

are

now

to offer a full-tuition scholarship to one

developing a plan to endow a room

The small school was started in 2004 to

female student who has completed her

and board scholarship to accompany

serve children from war-ravaged areas

secondary education at Uganda’s Humble

the full tuition scholarship. Some have

and those from homes affected by HIV/

School and who meets the College’s

already heard

AIDS. “Humble” is an acronym for

basic admission requirements. Wesleyan

and have volunteered their time and

“Helping Ugandan Mwana by Loving

anticipates that a student from Humble

resources to make this happen. The

Example.” “Mwana” is the Ugandan

School might be ready to enroll in the fall

seedling continues to grow. There is

word for children. Today, Humble School

of 2012.

no better place for a young woman

boasts brick buildings with concrete slab

about the scholarship

from Humble School to study and be

floors, windows with curtains, real desks,

“We know the value of opening our arms

equipped to return to Uganda armed

and bunk beds with mattresses and

and campus to the world, and we know

with the passion and skills necessary to

sheets. They have their own well and an

what an international campus means to

make a difference. Encouraging hope and

indoor kitchen. Most importantly, they

the students of Wesleyan,” said Dr. Vivia

instilling confidence is one of the things

have dedicated teachers and dormitory

Fowler, vice president for academic affairs

the Wesleyan family does best. From this

“mothers” who daily instill solid principles

and dean of the college. “We realize that

point forward, Wesleyan’s partnership with

of order and responsibility and oversee

there are many students around the world

Humble School will serve as a beacon of

chores and personal care. Plans are now

for whom higher education is not within

hope to Humble students. Wesleyan saw

underway to develop a secondary school

their means, and we are honored and

the need and reached across the world in

for graduates from the primary school who

proud to do this.”

generosity and faith.”

would benefit from further education.
This scholarship will give one student the

Pictured below: Sally Anderson Hemingway

Wesleyanne Sally Anderson Hemingway

opportunity for post-secondary education

‘79 traveled to Uganda to present Wesleyan’s

‘79, who serves as assistant to Wesleyan

that she might not otherwise have. In

new scholarship program to administrators

President Ruth Knox, and her husband,

Uganda, between 9,000 and 12,000

of the Humble United Methodist School.

the Reverend Tim Hemingway, had the

students per year qualify to join post-

vision to support a student from the

secondary education, but only about

Humble School. When the Hemingways

twenty-five percent actually enroll due

approached

administrators

to the cost and limited slots available

with the idea, the College embraced

at Makerere University, Uganda’s only

the opportunity and developed a new

government-funded institute of higher

scholarship program.

learning.

“This came together in a convergence of

Wesleyan

events that fit together so perfectly, the

students for more than one hundred

only explanation can be that God did it,”

years. Fifteen percent of the College’s

said Sally. “At the South Georgia Annual

current student body is made up of

Conference in June 2008, my husband

international students, with nearly twenty

was very moved by a performance of the

countries represented. “With our high

Humble School Choir, and he learned of

percentage of international students, it

Wesleyan

has

hosted

international

Wesleyan Magazine Winter 2009

of a Student Missionary
At the end of the day, when it’s all said and
done, Wesleyan Junior Eliza Cato would
like to think she remained optimistic,
experienced the fullness every experience
had to offer, and improved someone’s life
along the way. Her daily goal, or rather
her life goal – the very purpose for her
existence – is to benefit the people with
whom she comes in contact. No drama,
no ulterior motive. She’s not pushing an
agenda. This human service major claims
she simply wants to help people live
better lives.
When Eliza graduated from high school in
Wilmington, North Carolina, her mother
encouraged her to travel before she started
college: take six months…see some things.
So at just eighteen, she left the comforts of
her home and set out to volunteer with an
organization called Youth With A Mission,
an international, interdenominational
Christian family of ministries spreading
God’s love through words and actions in
almost every country of the world. Two
years later, Eliza had traveled through
France, Switzerland, Japan, and Australia
and touched the lives of homeless people,
refugees from Sudan, and children in need
of love and attention.
Soon after her return to the United States,
Dr. Susan Wyllys Wallace ’72, a family friend,
encouraged Eliza to consider Wesleyan.
Eliza toured the campus, decided it was
a good fit, and applied. Soon after Eliza
applied, she was admitted and awarded
14

the Presidential Scholarship. Though she
didn’t know it when she enrolled, Eliza later
discovered that her great-grandmother,
Addie Mae Henson, is a Wesleyanne who
graduated in 1916.
A day in the life of Eliza on campus
includes class, hanging out, and
involvement in a wide variety of activities.
She has served as a Wesleyan Disciple
and is actively engaged in service projects
like developing a book-loan service
for students and organizing a major
community free-cycling event to increase
awareness of consumption, recycling, and
other environmental concerns.
As a Wesleyan student, Eliza’s call to
mission work has strengthened. During
summer break, she volunteered with a
humanitarian group working in India. Her
work included taking rice and bandage
kits into leper colonies and helping
victims with general first aid care. Because
there are so many leper colonies in India,
the group can only make rounds once or
twice a week and victims must learn to
change their own bandages.
According to Eliza, the disease is still a
critical concern in India and victims are
relegated to the colonies. “They are
sequestered, shunned. They can’t go out
and can’t get jobs. They are stigmatized. It
is very sad,” she said. “They crave human
contact so (in addition to offering food
and first aid) I’d just hang out with them.”

Leprosy is not very contagious and there
is a cure, but the fear of being exposed
as a leper and labeled an outcast often
keeps people from seeking medical
attention. Despite the challenges of a
day in the life of a student missionary
working with underprivileged adults
and children stricken with leprosy, Eliza’s
experiences in India solidified her desire
to help people in poorer countries by
providing clean water, food, information
on disease prevention, and basic human
needs.
According to Eliza, every situation can
offer so much more than you expect
…if you are open to it. She credits
Wesleyan for helping students remain
open to experience a wide variety of
transformational experiences. “People at
Wesleyan are like a family,” she said, “and
each of us takes a personal interest in
helping one another succeed and grow –
it’s a supportive community where people
actively create an environment for young
women to flourish.”
A day in the life of Eliza, she hopes,
will always include travel so that she
may experience different cultures and
connect with a wide variety of people.
“I desperately want to continue doing
humanitarian aid and raising awareness
about social issues. That’s the one thing
in my life that I have been passionate
about.”

Wesleyan’s

Phi Kappa Phi Success
Let the love of learning rule humanity
This spring, eight students were inducted
into the Wesleyan College chapter of
Phi Kappa Phi, one of the nation’s most
selective academic honor societies.
Recent history suggests that one of the
eight has a great chance of receiving one
of the prestigious Phi Kappa Phi Graduate
Fellowship Awards.
Every year, hundreds of students vie
for one of the fifty-seven Phi Kappa Phi
$5,000 Fellowships awarded to members
throughout the country entering the
first year of graduate or professional
study. Each college chapter may select
one candidate from among its local
applicants to compete for the societywide awards. Other valuable scholarships
also are available through Phi Kappa Phi’s
national awards program, including
a limited number of study abroad
grants and three Fellowship Awards
valued at $15,000 each. For many
years, the society awarded forty
Awards of Excellence of $2,000 each.
Wesleyan College has the rare, but
distinguished, honor of graduating an
unusually large number of Phi Kappa
Phi Award recipients over the last ten
to fifteen years. Because the Graduate
Fellowship competition is open to all of
the honor society’s chapters, Wesleyan
students compete against students from
hundreds of universities and colleges of
all sizes across the nation. Since 1996,
Wesleyan has claimed eleven recipients
of the prestigious awards and fellowships,
an extraordinary distinction for a college
of Wesleyan’s size.
“During the early 90s,” said Wesleyan
Associate Dean and Registrar and Phi
Kappa Phi Member Pat Hardeman ’68,
“the faculty members of our chapter
made a concerted effort to encourage
students to compete for the Graduate
Fellowship Awards. As more students
became interested in advancing to
graduate school, we became intentional
about raising awareness of the awards

program
and
encouraging
highly
qualified students to prepare thoughtful
and thorough applications. We really
mentored students through the process.
And as a small close-knit community,
when a student received the award we all
celebrated the achievement. Of course,
that inspired others to work even harder
on their applications.”
In 2006, Wesleyan’s success in the
Fellowship
Award
program
was
recognized by the organization’s national
headquarters and featured on their
website. At the time, Phi Kappa Phi
National Headquarters Executive Director
Perry Snyder said, “I know of no other
college of Wesleyan’s size that has fared
so well in the competition.” Since 1996,
only a small number of colleges and
universities in Phi Kappa Phi’s Category
I (5,000 students or less) have claimed
recipients of the award. Wesleyan College
is the smallest of those, but is competing
with (and out-ranking) the category’s
larger universities like University of Tulsa,
US Military Academy, and Elon University,
each of which have almost eight times
Wesleyan’s enrollment.
“We would expect to see that success
rate at a large research university with a
student enrollment of 30,000 or more,”
Wesleyan Magazine Winter 2009

remarked Roy Blackwood, National
Director of Fellowships for the honor
society. “Wesleyan’s extraordinary record
is directly attributed to the quality of its
student body and the involvement of its
faculty and staff.” According to Blackwood,
the Fellowship committee wouldn’t notice
a college’s size because it is not a factor
in determining the awards.
But, he
noted that it is an interesting factor when
comparing a college’s success rate in the
award arena, serving as a strong indicator
of the academic climate of Wesleyan
College.
Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the
nation’s oldest and largest honor society
and recognizes academic excellence in all
fields of higher education. Its chapters are
on more than 300 campuses in the United
States, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.
Each year, approximately 30,000 members
are initiated. The Wesleyan chapter was
established in 1969. Although chapters
previously had been established at the
Georgia Institute of Technology and the
University of Georgia, Wesleyan was the
first to establish a Phi Kappa Phi chapter at
a college in Georgia. The honor society’s
name was inspired by the Greek words
that form its motto: Philosophìa Krateìto
Photôn or “let the love of learning rule
humanity.” Its mission is “to recognize
and promote academic excellence in all
fields of higher education and to engage
the community of scholars in service to
others.”
As of Fall 2009, Wesleyan’s chapter
includes eight seniors (Jessica Albrecht,
Lisa-Marie Brandt, Nakisha Duncan, Helen
Likins, Alexandra Radu, Nur-Taz Rahman,
Rhea Walsh, and Kaleigh Watkins) and
nine faculty and staff members (Chapter
President Nadine Whitney, Treasurer/
Secretary Betty Shewfelt, Past President
Teresa Smotherman, Glenna Meyer, Jim
Ferrari, Pat Hardeman, Ruth Knox, Mathew
Martin, Cathy Snow, and Susan Allen).
Since its founding, Phi Kappa Phi has
initiated more than one million members.
According to members at Wesleyan, the
achievement is more than a line on a
résumé. The group is a global community
of scholars and professionals comprised of
the best and brightest from all academic
disciplines. Membership in the honor
society is earned and is by invitation only.
Those who qualify include: juniors who
have completed seventy-two credit hours
and rank scholastically in the top 7.5% of
16

their class; seniors and graduate students
who rank in the top 10% of their class;
and faculty, professional staff, and alumni
who have achieved scholarly distinction.
Members must be of sound character and
enrolled at a college or university with a
chapter.
“Phi Kappa Phi membership held me
to a high standard and motivated me
to achieve higher goals as a college
student,” said 2009 Fellowship Recipient
Chen Chen ’09. According to Chen, the
society rewards those who demonstrate
great intellectual curiosity and academic
potential. “It is not a coincidence that
Wesleyan students have been awarded
Phi Kappa Phi scholarships consistently for
the past decade. Wesleyan’s small class
sizes encourage interactions between
students and professors, and this helps
develop our critical thinking skills ––
skills that are crucial in any academic
field. In that sense, I feel like what I learn
is not as important as how I learn it.”
2002 Fellowship Recipient Chenny Quan
Gan ’02 claimed membership in Phi
Kappa Phi not only helped her achieve
higher goals but also put her in touch
with like-minded Wesleyannes, who were
academically motivated and goal-driven.
“We were mentored by outstanding
members of the faculty, who also were
society members, and encouraged to
pursue a vision for ourselves and for the
future within a nurturing environment.
Beyond Wesleyan, Phi Kappa Phi remains
a valuable network for me, a way to keep
in touch with scholars around the country
and around the world,” she said.
The Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship
Award helped Gan complete two master’s
degrees in music at the University of
North Carolina, Greensboro –– one in
piano performance and the other in piano
accompanying. She later earned a Doctor
of Musical Arts, and now performs and
teaches internationally. “I chose to take
the Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship to UNCGreensboro,” said Gan, “where I met
some of the most important teachers of
my life – teachers who have broadened
my vision and helped me clarify my
goals in my field. Over the years they
have become valuable mentors, close
friends, and supportive colleagues, and I
still contact them regularly. Furthermore,
the Fellowship made graduate studies
easier and helped to alleviate some of
the financial stress of living in a new city,

allowing me the time and freedom to
focus on my studies.”
Phi Kappa Phi’s ongoing commitment to
excellence is reflected in its scholarships
and awards programs. The Society has
awarded approximately $12.7 million
since the inception of its awards program
in 1932. Today, more than $800,000
is awarded each year to outstanding
students, members, and chapters through
the society’s various awards competitions.
Phi Kappa Phi sets high standards for its
award recipients. Selection committees
evaluate applicants based on many
factors, including academic recognition
and awards, campus and community
involvement, leadership experiences, and
quality and scope of proposed programs.
According to 2000 Fellowship Award
Recipient Melissa Graham Meeks ’00,
“Wesleyan’s success with the Phi Kappa
Phi award program is not surprising
given the faculty’s commitment to
grooming students for graduate study
and professional life through intensive
practice in researching, writing, discussing,
and presenting ideas. Few faculty labor
alongside and on behalf of their students
like Wesleyan faculty.”
“Winning the national award certainly
helped my application to a prestigious
graduate program,” said Meeks. “Most
of my graduate school colleagues came
from larger institutions with much broader
reputations like the University of Chicago
and Brown University. The Phi Kappa Phi
Fellowship helped me make the case
that a woman from a small, private liberal
arts college in Macon, Georgia, could be
successful. Plus, the Fellowship funded
a significant portion of my first-year of
graduate school.”
Phi Kappa Phi helped 2005 Fellowship
Recipient Erin Rooney Riggs ’05 earn a
Master of Science in Genetic Counseling
at Northwestern University. She graduated
magna cum laude from Wesleyan in 2005
with a degree in biology, and earned
departmental honors in natural sciences
and mathematics. Now, she is working
with Emory University’s Department of
Human Genetics as a pediatric genetic
counselor.
Wesleyan’s success in the Fellowship
arena extends to other areas as well.
One Wesleyan student, Lindsay Beth
Rosenquist Burns ’06, received the Phi

Kappa Phi Study Abroad Scholarship that sponsored
her 2005 research in Berlin, Germany. After four
weeks at an intensive language school, she interned
for six weeks in the law department of a German
lobbying firm, translating legal documents for the
European Parliament.
“Studying abroad in Germany was a great
experience, and the Study Abroad Scholarship
was a great help financially,” said Burns. “One of
my professors informed me about the scholarship
and helped me through the application process.
My professors helped me take advantage of many
great opportunities. In fact, I still continue to
receive help through Wesleyan’s professors, most
recently with my letters of recommendation for law
school, but also for numerous other applications
throughout the years. This individualized attention
coupled with amazing opportunities is the
combination that drew me to Wesleyan College
in the first place. Wesleyan had a number of great
opportunities, especially in comparison to its size,
but also due in part because of its size. Wesleyan’s
size provides students with a close relationship to
professors as well as other classmates, which is
simply priceless.”
Other Wesleyan graduates and Phi Kappa Phi
Fellowship Award recipients are Virginia Dicken
’03, Hannah Leah Callender ’01, Janet Ruth
Fallon ’97, and Sherry Virginia Neal ’96. Award of
Excellence Winners include “Lois” Huei-Yu Chen
’07 and Yuliya Rumenova Ivanova ’07.
2007 Award of Excellence Recipient Yuliya
Rumenova Ivanova ‘07 was accepted to one of
the world’s most competitive master in finance
programs at Carnegie Mellon University. The
international student from Botevgrad, Bulgaria,
was a 4.0 summa cum laude graduate who majored
in economics and business administration and
minored in math and finance. Currently, she is
pursuing an MBA at the University of Iowa.
One year later, Yuliya‘s classmate also won the
Award of Excellence. “Lois” Huei-Yu Chen ’07
double-majored in economics and international
relations (with a French minor) and was accepted
to master’s programs in public policy at several
prestigious universities including London School
of Economics and Carnegie Mellon University.
She decided to pursue her graduate studies in
London.
“Eleven Phi Kappa Phi recipients in fourteen years
is an impressive record! But of course, I’m not
surprised,” said Gan. “It is what Wesleyan is all
about, giving extraordinary young women the tools
and confidence they need to achieve extraordinary
things. I’m proud to stand in the ranks of Wesleyan
alumnae who have achieved this, but I know there
will be many more to come.”

Recent Phi Kappa Phi
Award Recipients:
1987 HOnORaBLE MEntiOn: Meredith Gay Garrett ’87 – doubled
majored in biology and chemistry; earned a doctorate of medicine from
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; completed her surgical residency
at Walter Reed Army Medical Center; currently practices medicine in the
Washington, DC area and is Board Certified by the American Board of
Surgery and a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons.
1996 FELLOWSHiP: Sherry Virginia Neal ’96 – majored in biology; graduated
from UGA School of Law; returned to Wesleyan and taught business law as
an adjunct professor; currently practicing law at Neal & Wright LLC in Atlanta
specializing in domestic adoption; serves with the Atlanta Legal Aid Society.
1997 FELLOWSHiP: Janet Ruth Fallon ’97 – created an interdisciplinary
major in environmental economics; graduated from Washington and Lee
University School of Law; currently in private practice.
2000 FELLOWSHiP: Melissa Graham Meeks ’00 – majored in English;
earned a Master of Arts in English and a Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Composition
at UNC Chapel Hill; currently a Marion L. Brittain Postdoctoral Fellow at the
Georgia Institute of Technology.
2001 FELLOWSHiP: Hannah Leah Callender ’01 – majored in mathematics;
earned a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Mathematics at Vanderbilt; currently
researching in the area of mathematical biology to create mathematical
models of cell signaling pathways.
2002 FELLOWSHiP: Chenny Quan Gan ’02 – double majored in music and
studio art; earned a Master of Music in Piano Performance and a Master
of Music in Piano Accompanying at UNC Greensboro; earned a Doctor of
Musical Arts at University of Southern California; has released three CDs;
currently performs and teaches internationally and has plans to open a
music school in Germany.
2003 FELLOWSHiP: Virginia Dicken ’03 – majored in psychology; currently
working on a graduate degree in Psychology at Southern Illinois University.
2005 Study abroad Scholarship: Lindsay Beth Rosenquist Burns ’06 –
majored in international relations; interned domestically in the field of
community development in California; earned a Master of Arts in Political
Science & Community Development and a graduate certificate in Women
and Gender Studies from Illinois State University; currently in law school at
the University of Wisconsin (Madison).
2005 FELLOWSHiP: Erin Rooney Riggs ’05 – majored in biology; earned
a Master of Science in Genetic Counseling at Northwestern University;
currently working with Emory University’s Department of Human Genetics
as a pediatric genetic counselor.
2007 aWa
aW RD OF ExCELLEnCE: Yuliya Rumenova Ivanova ’07 – majored
in economics and business administration management; native of Botevgrad,
Bulgaria; currently pursuing an MBA at the University of Iowa.
2008 aWa
aW RD OF ExCELLEnCE: “Lois” Huei-Yu Chen ’07 – doublemajored in economics and international relations, with a minor in French;
currently working on a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management
at the London School of Economics.
2009 FELLOWSHiP: Chen Chen ’09 – majored in chemistry with a music
minor; currently pursuing a graduate degree in chemistry at Stanford
University in California.

18

Photos by: Neal Carpenter

Leading the way to

sustainability
“Global warming is a defining challenge of our time. Human
activities are largely responsible for the problem, and working
together humans have the capacity to solve the problem.
That means taking serious action today to stop adding global
warming pollution to the atmosphere. Wesleyan College is
committed to leading the way.” – Ruth A. Knox, 2007
In 2007, Wesleyan College President Ruth Knox committed
to reducing and eventually neutralizing the College’s global
warming emissions and accelerating the research and
educational efforts to equip society to re-stabilize the earth’s
climate. The pledge came with Knox’s signing of the American
College & University Presidents Climate Commitment
(ACUPCC), joining the leaders of 400 other institutions across
the country. To date, 656 colleges have signed.
The ACUPCC is the first such effort by any major sector of
society to set climate neutrality – not just a reduction – as its
target. This undertaking by America’s colleges and universities
is inspired by efforts like the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection
Agreement, the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, and other
collective efforts by states and businesses.

climate action measures proposed by the Sustainability
Committee. The CAP will frame the energy and climate
action measures in the appropriate context – that is, historical
campus emissions, a campus-wide greenhouse gas reduction
target, and forecasted emissions trajectory – and provide
return on investment analysis of the major measures being
implemented.
A crucial first step in developing the long-range plan required
the College to estimate its impact on the environment by
measuring the energy consumption of the campus community.
Compiled and summarized in a Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Inventory, the data collected only represents a one-year
period but provides an essential foundation for determining
Wesleyan’s strategy for achieving environmental sustainability.
In 2007-2008, according to the inventory, Wesleyan produced
6,989 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, with
electricity (at 5,688 MT eCO2) accounting for 81% of our
overall emissions. Emission source categories associated with
Wesleyan’s operations are purchased electricity, stationary
sources, transportation, agriculture, and solid waste disposal.

Since joining the ACUPCC, Wesleyan has been developing
a comprehensive long-range Climate Action Plan (CAP) to
neutralize greenhouse gas emissions on the campus and
to ensure that the curriculum includes related educational
and research efforts. Immediately, the College formed a
Sustainability Committee comprised of faculty, staff, and
students to work collaboratively toward developing the longrange CAP and initiating various short-term plans.

Although long-range strategic plans for sustainability are
still being finalized, College administrators agreed to take
some steps soon after signing the ACUPCC, like purchasing
only Energy Star certified products where those ratings exist
and attempting to renovate one of the major academic
buildings, Taylor Hall, as a LEED Certified green building.
Some of the work on that historic facility, which was built
in 1928, has already been completed, including replacing
its original windows with modern, energy-efficient ones.

Wesleyan’s CAP will include energy efficiency work that the
College currently has underway or planned, plus additional

During 2007, Wesleyan officials met with several firms who
specialize in energy efficiency and selected one, LincHays,

Wesleyan
Wesleyan
Magazine
Magazine
Fall/Winter
Winter 2009
2008

to help the College map out a strategy for upgrading lighting,
HVAC systems, and other equipment to lower our energy
consumption.
“During the past year,” according to Vice President for Business
and Fiscal Affairs Rick Maier, “the College completed the first
phase of a comprehensive energy efficiency project, spending
more than $3 million to make repairs to chillers throughout the
campus and install new air conditioning units, lighting, stateof-the-art DDC controls, and a new steamer in our kitchen,
resulting in reduced energy use, lower repair expenses, and a
significant improvement in comfort, efficiency and reliability for
the residence halls and academic buildings within its scope. The
second phase of the LincHays project will cost approximately
$2 million more, and Wesleyan is working diligently to raise
the necessary funds to complete this important work. We are
especially thankful for Cal Hays and Todd Pierson at Linc/Hays,
who donated a new energy-efficient dishwasher for the dining
hall that allows water to be heated without the use of the old
boiler. A generous gift!”
Members of the Sustainability Committee continue to meet
with consultants, including energy experts, local recycling firms,
and foresters, all in an effort to find partners who are most

likely to help us develop a plan that works and that we can
reasonably expect to implement. “We have secured estimates
and proposals for solar support systems to reduce our reliance
on electricity and metering systems to measure the energy
usage of each building,” said Dr. Venus Dookwah-Roberts,
Assistant Professor of Environmental Science and chair of the
Sustainability Committee. “Various consultants have visited our
campus to help audit our energy consumption and offer advice
about alternative energy saving measures, such as geothermal
energy, wind energy, solar energy, and water conservation.”
Currently, 100% of the College’s electricity supply comes from
Georgia Power. While exploring solar power is worthwhile in
the long-term because of Macon’s geographic location, shortterm reductions in energy consumption are anticipated through
improved infrastructure and education. Options for obtaining
greenhouse gas emission offsets from our natural acreage and
planting pine trees will also be explored. Recently, Wesleyan
received a $16,000 grant from the 2009 Urban and Community
Forestry Grant Program to be used in evaluating how our
forested acreage could provide carbon offsets for the rest of the
campus. A community-wide event, Tree Hug & Measure, was
organized during November to inventory and measure the trees
in the College’s arboretum.

Initiatives inspired by the Pre
In addition to the College’s strategic plans to reach carbon neutrality, many faculty, staff, and student-organized initiatives continue to
gain momentum and increase awareness about sustainability issues both on and off campus. Go Green! with Wesleyan by supporting
the following initiatives:
Monthly Wesleyan Market Event
In April of 2008, Wesleyan invited the
community to experience its newest
event, the Wesleyan Market. Held monthly
during spring, summer, and fall, the fun
outdoor community event features a
variety of locally grown and produced
items ranging from flowers and organic
produce to baked goods and work of local
artists. Music, fun, and educational events
also are offered. Vendors vary monthly,
but generally offer fresh produce, pecans,
preserves, perennials, shrubs, artisanal
cheeses, eggs, barbeque, Brunswick stew,
whole bean coffee, cakes, cookies, breads,
honey, pollen, hand-made soaps, sea salt,
herbal teas, boiled peanuts, and fresh
shrimp. The Wesleyan Market exemplifies
Wesleyan’s commitment to take an active
leadership role by adopting innovative
programs to encourage students and
members of the greater community to
live greener lives. The event helps to
increase access to locally grown produce
and products. Hundreds of community
members attend the event each month.

20

Forest Stewardship Council certification
During 2009, Wesleyan’s Office of
Communications developed relationships
with new printing partners whose business
practices support the Forest Stewardship
Council (FSC). Purchasing FSC-certified
paper and print products contributes to
conservation, responsible management,
and community level benefits for people
near the forests that provide our paper.
Carrying the FSC-certification logo
on print products tells the world that
Wesleyan supports the highest social and
environmental standards in the market
where we use paper. In June, Wesleyan
printed its largest publication, the
admission Viewbook, using FSC-certified
paper. No extra costs were incurred, and
options for other large publications to
be printed under the FSC guidelines are
underway.
Anthony Homes Community Garden
Faculty and students of Wesleyan’s
Environmental Concerns Committee
revitalized a children’s garden for the
community residing in Macon’s Anthony

Homes Housing Development. Originally,
the volunteer group broke ground and
established the garden during a massvolunteer service initiative called WOW!
A Day for Macon and was featured on
13WMAZ’s Saturday Evening News. Twice
each year, during the WOW! A Day events,
the Environmental Concerns Committee
works with members of the community to
maintain the children’s garden.
Purchasing Local Produce
Wesleyan Dining Services, along with its
parent corporation ARAMARK, is taking
an active eco-friendly leadership role on
campus by adopting innovative programs
to encourage students to live greener
lives. Nationally, ARAMARK has been
researching new programs designed
to help clients reduce their carbon
footprint. During spring 2008, according
to Director of Dining Services Laverne
Fender, “Wesleyan began buying locally
grown produce in every instance when it’s
available. By buying local, we’re helping
the farmers in our area financially. The
produce gets to us much faster, thereby

“A significant component of Wesleyan’s ongoing commitment
to sustainability includes goals to maintain the beauty of the
College’s landscaping and natural forest,” said Knox. “To care for
the priceless green space that we are blessed to have, Wesleyan
is developing a long-term plan for our landscaping, including
how to replace trees that we lose, anticipate losses (like the
aging cherry trees), and maintain what we have.”
Although the official institutional Climate Action Plan is still a
work-in-progress, just signing the Climate Commitment inspired
departments across campus to incorporate new business practices
that conserve energy and reduce waste, such as new online
admission applications and eMarketing strategies to recruit new
students, direct deposit of employee payroll and financial aid,
online student handbooks and paperless academic catalogue
DVDs, and new software to restrict excessive use of campus printers.
As a community, the campus evaluated its recycling practices and
adopted procedures to encourage greater participation, like placing
sorting receptacles for paper, plastic, and aluminum in the library, all
administration and academic buildings, and on each floor in every
student residence hall. Recycling efforts at Wesleyan are studentled with removal duties assigned to our physical plant staff. During
2008, the campus community recycled twelve tons of material.

In May of 2009, Wesleyan adopted a Responsible Purchasing
Policy as one of the tangible actions required for compliance
with the ACUPCC. This policy guides departments and vendors
to purchase environmentally preferable equipment and services
whenever available and financially possible and applies to a wide
spectrum of products including appliances, HVAC equipment,
electric motors, office equipment, lighting and signage, cleaning
chemicals and paper, and consumer electronics. Under the policy,
departments agree to research options and allow certifying
organizations such as Energy Star®, EPEAT™, and Green Seal®
to help guide purchasing decisions.
Follow Wesleyan’s lead and Go Green! with us. A new website
section offers news and resource links related to the Climate
Commitment. The information is designed to inspire students,
staff, faculty, alumnae, and other website visitors to implement
creative approaches to reducing individual carbon footprints.
Educational information and links on the Carbon Footprint 101
page define terms like carbon footprint, offset emissions, and
carbon neutrality. Visitors can calculate their carbon footprint
and set goals to lower their impact. Find it under News & Info
at www.wesleyancollege.edu.

residents Climate Commitment
making it much fresher. And, we’re
aiding in the reduction of diesel fuel
and gasoline usage.” Dining Services
introduced a new brand of coffee in the
dining hall that is eco-friendly as well.
Water Conservation in the Dining Hall
In August of 2008, students returned to
campus to find a new “Tray-less Dining”
policy in the Anderson Dining Hall in
an effort to conserve water and reduce
chemical use. Diners now carry plates
and glasses to their tables without using
individual serving trays. The Dining
Services staff measured the water
consumption required to wash the trays
and reported their findings to the campus
community. According to ARAMARK,
during the academic year nearly 4,750
meals are served each week in the dining
hall. When each diner used a tray, the
dining staff used 792 gallons of water per
week to wash just trays. By eliminating
trays in the dining hall, we save 25,344
gallons of water and $1,859 per year in
chemicals. Nationally, Tray-less Dining
also has helped decrease the amount of
food waste that occurs. Current plans
are being developed to compost food
waste.

Green Seal Certified Cleaning Products
Wesleyan’s custodial partner, National
Management Resources Corporation,
is committed to helping maintain clean,
sanitary, and safe environments for our
campus community. National strives to use
cleaning products that are biodegradable,
packaged using recycled materials, and
sold in a concentrated form. National
values the guidance of Green Seal, an
independent non-profit organization that
certifies products that have a minimal
impact on building occupants and the
outdoor environment while still delivering
high performance. All of the paper
products used in campus restrooms
–– toilet paper and paper towels –– are
Green Seal certified and 100% recycled.
Also, one of the main all-purpose cleaners
used, a hydrogen peroxide based cleaner,
is a Green Seal certified product.
National now is purchasing vacuum
cleaners that are equipped with high
efficiency particulate filters. Recently,
they transitioned to using microfiber
cleaning cloths and are in the process of
implementing a microfiber dust mop and
damp mop system. Because these new
microfiber cleaning cloths can be used
with little or no cleaning products, they

are better for the environment. Many
of these specialty cloths can be cleaned
and reused, so there is less to throw away.
Printer Management System
In March 2009, the Computer and
Information
Resources
Department
implemented a new printer management
system to cut paper and printer toner
waste. The new software program tracks
the copies made by each student and
restricts excessive use of our campus
printers. Students are allotted a defined
number of copies per month and given
the option to purchase additional copies if
necessary. The CIR department measured
print usage and waste across campus and
discovered that, as a community, we were
printing over 90,000 pages each month
in the residence halls, academic center,
and library, which equated to roughly 30
feet of stacked paper. The initial goal for
the new system is to reduce usage by
at least 20% over the remainder of the
2009 academic year. Computer Resident
Assistants were trained on the new Printer
Management System and spent several
weeks helping students, faculty, and staff
members configure their computers to
work with the new system.

Wesleyan Magazine Winter 2009

Springing up &
crumbling at will
Under the direction of Wesleyan Professor of Art John Skelton,
studio art students have been creating beautiful stacked-stone
sculptures inspired by the environmental art of Andy Goldsworthy. A
British sculptor, photographer, and environmentalist living in Scotland,
Goldsworthy produces site-specific sculpture and land art situated in
natural and urban settings. His art involves the use of natural and found
objects to create both temporary and permanent sculptures that draw
out the character of their environment. Although Goldsworthy’s art
often includes flowers, icicles, leaves, mud, pinecones, and twigs, he is
generally considered the founder of modern rock balancing.
Much environmental art is ephemeral and will disappear or transform.
Often environmental art is designed to inhabit a particular site and
can not be moved. Such art may involve “distributed ownership”
and is a collaboration between the artist and others, such as
scientists, educators or community groups. In a general sense,
it is art that helps improve our relationship with the natural
world. For his ephemeral works, Goldsworthy often uses
only his bare hands, teeth, and found tools to prepare and
arrange the materials. Like Goldsworthy, the Wesleyan
students take their fragile work right to the edge of its
collapse, a beautiful balance.

Wesleyan will contribute $8,750 each year for students
who qualify, and has designated a maximum of

“I love the small, private setting of Wesleyan,” she said. “I

ten undergraduate scholarships for the 2009-2010

couldn’t have made a better choice.” Wesleyan, too, made

academic year. Veterans Affairs will match Wesleyan’s

a wise choice when College administrators decided to fund

contributions, resulting in full tuition scholarships for

the new program, matching federal financial support for

as many as ten qualifying students. Currently, only two

students who have qualifying military service.

Wesleyan students are receiving grants through the
Yellow Ribbon Program but several more are

This year, the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement

awaiting VA approval.

Program was added as a provision to the Post-9/11 Veterans

Educational Assistance Act of 2008. As a result, beginning

According to First-year Wesleyan Student Whitney Kimble,

August 1, 2009, Wesleyan and other private colleges

the Yellow Ribbon GI Bill is very important to her family,

around the country voluntarily agreed to work with The

as she might not have been able to attend a private

United States Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) to fund

college like Wesleyan without the grant funding. Whitney’s

tuition expenses for Iraq and Afghanistan war-era veterans.

father served in Iraq and Afghanistan while the family was

stationed at Fort Campbell in Kentucky.

In the past, the VA has helped fund tuition and fees for
veterans attending private colleges, but only up to an

The program allows career service members to share their

amount that matched the tuition at the most expensive

education benefits with immediate family members such

public college in the state. Now, institutions that voluntarily

as a spouse, children, or any combination of spouse and

enter into a Yellow Ribbon Agreement choose the amount

child. A spouse may use the benefit immediately while

of tuition and fees that they will contribute and the VA

a child may use the benefit after the career service

matches that amount, often resulting in a full scholarship

member has completed ten years of service in the

covering the entire cost of tuition. VA does not limit the

Armed Forces.

dollar amount it will match; however, the amount cannot
exceed 50% of the student’s unmet charges.

Wesleyan Magazine Winter 2009

L

no time like the

present

At fifty-eight, Susan Middleton was restless. “At the time,
my older brother reminded me of my age,” she said, “and
suggested that I might want to take time to consider what
I wanted to do with the next twenty, possibly last highly
productive, years of my life.”
She spoke with friends, community leaders, and colleagues
hoping for insight, feedback, and maybe even advice. She
spent time at a retreat center to pray and reflect, hoping
to become more open to the opportunities she had in
her life.
At fifty-nine, Susan decided to retire early from her
successful law practice and pursue a life-long dream,
the teaching and study of music. She opened a small
business called Sue-Sue’s Primo Piano and began
teaching beginning piano students. Motivated by a
desire to be better prepared for her students, Susan
auditioned for Wesleyan’s music department and was
accepted. “When I arrived for my first piano lesson
with Professor Eikner,” she said, “I was returning to the
formal study of music after a forty-three year hiatus.”
Enjoying every moment, she is thriving and on track
to graduate with a second bachelor’s degree in 2012.
“Wesleyan is a competitive yet non-competitive
environment,” she said. “I don’t know any other way to
describe it. You’re challenged to do your very personal
best but, at the same time, you’re part of a collaborative
team. The longer I’m here, the more fun it is.”
Many adult women arrive on campus as accomplished
professionals. Some wish to advance their careers while
others come here to study subjects purely for the love of
learning. The College’s Encore Day Program is designed
for women who are returning to college and wish to take
part in the traditional college experience. Wesleyan
attracts scores of adults interested in starting a college
career, continuing an interrupted college program, or
just taking interesting courses for personal growth and
enjoyment. Wesleyan even offers on-campus housing for
non-traditional students.
“Wesleyan students aren’t all eighteen to twenty-one.
Some are thirty. Some are forty-five. Some are sixty-plus.
Our nontraditionally aged students don’t exist on the
fringes of the college experience,” said Vice President for
Enrollment Steve Farr. “Older students are full members
of our community. They bring extraordinary experiences,
aspirations, goals, and maturity to our campus. Our
24

classes are small, focused, and personal. And often, adult
students raise the benchmark for their classmates and
encourage spirited discussion and debate.”
Susan Middleton said she spent her entire professional life
using her left brain for logical analytical thinking. Now, she
is using her right brain, letting the artist inside come alive
and thrive. Fellow Encore Student Shirley Blunk is also
continuing her education for personal growth, hoping to
fulfill her dreams and creative aspirations. After earning
an associate degree in 1975 and working one year toward
a bachelor’s degree at the University of West Florida, she
ran out of college funds and joined the military. In October,
Shirley retired from Robins Air Force Base after thirty-two
years of combined federal service.
Shirley served eight years active duty with the Air Force
and, after an honorable discharge, became a civil servant
at the base. From July 2002 until retirement, Shirley was
the management assistant for the band of the United
States Air Force Reserve, which consists of fifty full-time
professional musicians who are assigned to the Air Force
Reserve Command. The band travels in excess of 100,000
miles per year performing more than 400 concerts. Shirley
played clarinet, bagpipes, and sang with the AFRC Band
for eight years while in active duty with the Air Force
during the 70s and 80s. She performed clarinet with
the concert band, served as a vocalist or bagpiper for
retirement ceremonies, and even performed in the Macy’s
Thanksgiving Day Parade as a tenor drummer.
“Over the years,” said Shirley, “I yearned to complete
the bachelor’s degree in music education that I had once
begun. Although I am a clarinetist, I’m taking advantage
of the music track at Wesleyan, in which I can continue
training in other instruments and voice. I’m currently
studying piano with Professor Edward Eikner and voice
with Dr. Nadine Whitney.”
Over the last three years, Shirley taught private music
lessons and became serious about completing her music
degree. She auditioned for and received a scholarship
from the music departments of both Mercer University
and Wesleyan. It was Wesleyan’s 9-to-1 student-to-faculty
ratio that influenced her decision to enroll and begin
classes in August. “It is exciting to continue where I left
off years ago,” Shirley said. “My perspective is better
now than it was in my youth. I have a greater appreciation
for learning and skills development. I am learning
more about myself as I face these present challenges.”

“Every time I am on the Wesleyan campus it is pure magic for
me. I have returned to my art, and what I experience when I’m in
class is genuine, grateful, innocent joy.” – Susan Middleton
For Shirley, continuing an education after a fulfilling career
seems like a luxury, though she considers it more of an
opportunity to get better equipped for the next chapter in
life. Like Susan, Shirley enjoys the freedom of knowing that
she doesn’t necessarily have to begin a whole new career.
Wesleyan Encore Student Starling Thornsberry agreed,
“Yes, it is a luxury! I am truly motivated to absorb every
ounce of information and be the best I can be – maybe
because I feel that life is very short and I need to make the
most of everything I do.”
Starling earned an Associate of Science in 1984 and a
Bachelor of Science in nuclear medicine in 1986. She
worked as a nuclear medicine technologist for ten years and
then put her career on the back burner to devote time to
her children. She has always been creative, helping others
with decorating projects. She developed an appreciation
for art, started painting, and realized she wanted formal
training. When her children were old enough to be in
school all day, she felt it was the perfect time to go back
to school and pursue something she truly enjoys doing.
Accomplished Artist Betty Bivins Edwards graduated from
The Women’s College of Georgia, now Georgia College, in
1967 with a major in math and a minor in art. After teaching
math for three years, she recognized her real passion was
art. She began doing handcrafts and became a professional

artist in 1981. Soon afterward she decided she “needed
more education and sought to study under Wesleyan’s
internationally known art faculty.” Betty is not working on a
second degree. Instead, she audits classes.
“I love coming and taking classes,” she said, “because
it is one of the best things to do to keep your mind
fresh!” Betty appreciates the opportunity to audit
classes, which many colleges and universities don’t
allow, because she can further her knowledge and
hone her skills but still work on her paintings at home.
All four women agree that older students bring a great deal
to the classroom because of their life experiences, former
academic preparation, and exposure to many diverse
situations. They enjoy studying with younger students and
hope to inspire them to continue to learn throughout their
lives. Susan Middleton thinks older, seasoned, and perhaps
“spicy” women bring an energy and enthusiasm that
springs from a grateful heart and a sense of “WOW, I never
knew I would be able to do this.”
“Every time I am on the Wesleyan campus it is pure
magic for me,” said Susan. “I have returned to my art,
and what I experience when I’m in class is genuine,
grateful, innocent joy.”

Wesleyan Magazine Winter 2009

The Women of the House:
One Hundred Years, One Georgia Family
“The key would not turn. My cold hand and numb fingers could not lock
the front door of Mother’s house, and I stood shivering on the front porch,
shaking as much from frustration and grief as from the chill of a gray January
afternoon in Middle Georgia.
I remembered the frequent tantrums of my childhood when I had lain down
on the floor of the porch and kicked the banisters as hard as I could. Now
I could only mutter, ‘Damn the perversity of inanimate objects.’ Instantly I
knew that I was quoting Grandmother’s expression. I kneed the heavy door
as I turned the knob and pushed. The old door, with a familiar grudging
screech, allowed itself to be reopened, and I stood again beneath the high
paneled ceiling of the wide front hall.” Jane Anne Mallet Settle ‘47

So begins The Women of the House:
One Hundred Years, One Georgia Family
by Jane Anne Mallet Settle ’47. The
nonfiction trilogy is a collection of true
life stories about three women from three
generations of one Georgia family. Being
a fourth generation “woman of the house”
and a witness to many chapters, Settle
spent two decades sifting through a wealth
of papers, letters, and photographs of the
three women she writes about - greatgrandmother Janie, grandmother Hattie,
and mother Mary (Wesleyan class of 1917)
– whose stories, Settle writes, are “twined
tenaciously like honeysuckle in more than
a hundred years in Middle Georgia.”
In all, five generations have lived in the
McKibben-Lane-Mallet house on Third
Street in Jackson, Georgia. A sixth
generation has only visited. The house was
built in 1892 by Janie McKibben, the first
woman of the house. Almost immediately
after the house was complete, her
daughter Hattie, the second woman of the
house, married A.W. Lane and moved to
Macon where they reared their family.
When Janie died in 1913 Hattie inherited
the house in Jackson. For several years she
and her family, who still lived in Macon,
rented out part of the house and only
rarely visited. Hattie’s daughter Mary Lane
was a student at Wesleyan and worked as a
substitute lecturer. In 1922, Mary, the third
woman of the house, married Jacksonnative Hugh Mallet and Hattie gave the
26

newlyweds the house as a wedding gift.
Jane Anne Settle writes, “The woman who
owned our Middle Georgia homeplace
the longest and left the most of herself in
it was my mother, Mary Lane Mallet…the
third woman of the house.”

Jane Anne’s older sister Marcia and from
the McKibben-Lane-Mallet house. The
house, which Settle owns, occasionally
hosts community functions and welcomes
family members who are visiting in
Jackson.

Accepting the house with gratitude and
joy, Mary and Hugh immediately began
planning its renovation. The Mallets had five
children before Hugh died in 1939 at age
forty-seven. After growing up in the house
her great-grandparents built, Jane Anne
followed in her mother Mary’s footsteps
and enrolled at Wesleyan, earning a
bachelor’s degree in English in 1947. While
at Wesleyan, Jane Anne worked in the
president’s office typing personal letters
to prospective students. World War II was
in full swing and times were tough so Jane
skipped fall semester of her sophomore
year, took a job, and earned enough money
to pay for a full year of college. Continuing
the tradition, her younger sister Emily
graduated from Wesleyan in 1949.

Jane Anne Mallet Settle provides a
uniquely detailed and well documented
account of the happiness three women
and their families found in friendships,
marriages, children, and promising
careers––a happiness that helps them
survive hardships from the Civil War
through the Great Depression, the loss of
young children, and sudden widowhood
before middle age. The foundation of
their strength is an intangible, inspiring life
philosophy passed from one generation
to the next and symbolized by a tangible
link –– “Heritage,” the Jackson, Georgia,
family home in which their lives were set
for more than one hundred years. Though
they all had the house in common, the
three women of the house were distinctly
different. “We built it, lived in it, continued
to change it. We have taken pride in it,
cared for it and neglected it, been shackled
to it, ignored it, laughed at it. We have
cried and found sanctuary in this house.”

Jane Anne married John “Chuck” Settle
in 1947 while they were both students at
Emory. They moved back to Jackson and
began their family. Chuck worked as an
accountant with the Defense Department
and the family moved several times, living
in Germany, Colorado, and Pennsylvania.
They reared two daughters: Janie is an
educator in Tennessee and Nancy is a
lawyer living in New York. The Settles still
live in Jackson, just down the street from

The Women of the House is available
at Violetpress.com and through the
Wesleyan College Bookstore. Forty-eight
photographs help Jane Anne Mallet Settle
tell the fascinating story.

Kimball
Art Center
celebrates
American Icon
Neva Langley
Fickling
Neva Jane Langley Fickling enrolled at Wesleyan College in
the fall of 1951 just before she was crowned Miss America 1953.
She won not only the talent competition for her performance of
Toccata by Khatchaturian for piano but also the swimsuit and
evening gown competitions. To date, Neva is the only Miss
America in history to have the distinction of winning all three
categories. Last year, the Museum of Arts & Sciences in Macon
honored Neva through an exhibit of the gowns she wore during
her reign. This year, the exquisite gowns toured to Park City,
Utah, where they were on display in the Main Gallery of the
Kimball Art Center.
The Kimball Art Center, in collaboration with the Deer Valley
Music Festival, presented the national exhibition of Neva’s Miss
America evening gowns designed by Ceil Chapman, Philip Huitar,
and other noted designers of that era. Twelve gowns worn during
Neva’s competition and reign as Miss America, including the
white beaded gown she wore at Eisenhower’s first Presidential
Inaugural Parade, were displayed. A Grand Opening Reception
included a Salon featuring conductor and pianist Gerry Steichen
and celebrated soprano Lisa Vroman, performing in Neva’s
honor. Other events included a Ladies Luncheon, fashion show,
and a Ladies and Girls Tea where guests had the opportunity to
meet Neva.
Neva Langley Fickling’s beauty and grace continue to inspire
others as she has dedicated her life to family, friends, and
community. After her reign as Miss America and graduating
cum laude from the Wesleyan Conservatory of Music in 1955,
Neva performed and promoted music and the arts around the
world. Some noted performances include those with the Utah
Symphony, Macon Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Pops Orchestra,
and Benevento (Italy) Symphony Orchestra. The Neva Langley
Fickling Recital Hall at Mercer University was named in her honor.
She was recently named Woman of the Year by the Georgia Girl
Scouts and holds many other distinctions.
Wesleyan Magazine Winter 2009

Photo by Neal Carpenter

The
Queen

of Funk
Just as whimsical and unique as the artist
herself, the creations of Meg Hogan
Campbell ‘72 are a vast repertoire of
clay, pottery, sculpture, collage, and
watercolor inspired by nature and other
random things that she claims to be
seeing for the first time.
While well known in Middle Georgia for
her work with clay, Meg recently returned
to painting and collage to explore new
connections among different media
and techniques. In addition, she’s
exhibiting new work in Wesleyan’s
Cowles Myles Collier East Gallery
and sharing her talent with Wesleyan
as an adjunct professor of ceramics.
In the abstract, Meg is an artist.
Throughout her career, she considered
herself to be trained in the abstract
expressionist style with its emphasis on
spontaneous, subconscious creation –
no rules. Recently, she’s realized that she
is an artist in the Bauhaus tradition, the

teaching of the pure arts along with the
study of crafts. Bauhaus was built on the
idea that design did not merely reflect
society but hopefully improved it as well.
“I’m aiming for depth and zing, and I also
like extremely simple art. I like to make
people laugh,” she said. “I like creations
that show the observer something
different every time they look at it.”
Born and reared in Macon, Meg’s artistic
development began early under the
influence of her mother, Jane Morgan
Hogan ’49. “She refused to buy us
coloring books,” laughed Meg. “If we
wanted to color a picture, then we had
to first draw the picture ourselves.”
Meg attended the University of
Georgia for three years before
transferring to Wesleyan to graduate
with the class of 1972. She has earned
bachelor’s degrees in both art and
English and also holds a teaching
certificate. Today she works from the

basement in her home while a studio
in her back yard is under construction.
Meg built on her own quirky sense of
humor to produce a large body of work,
a series of clay houses -- homes of alter
ego “The Queen of Funk.” Meg’s tiny
heroine appears inside each house
doing interesting things that Meg
herself dreamed of doing but was afraid
to do. With sculpture, she said, you can
make a statement if you want to. So
with a roll of clay, some scoring, and a
few pinches she creates unique works
that reflect her personality.
“Why do I do this?” she asked. “Because
I’m one dimensional. Art is just about all I
like to do! I’ve spent my whole life doing
something that nobody knows how to
identify, which is kind of fun. Anyone
can recognize art if they’re trained to
recognize it. Anyone can be taught
technique, style, history, application, and
method, but an artist is born an artist.“
Wesleyan Magazine Winter 2009

Top 10 College of
Of Distinction.
Forbes claims Wesleyan is America’s 15th Best College Buy
Wesleyan College is among America’s Top 100 Best Colleges,
according to new rankings from Forbes magazine. It is one of
only two institutions from the state of Georgia to appear in the
Top 100. Forbes magazine collaborated with Dr. Richard Vedder,
an economist at Ohio University, and the Center for College
Affordability and Productivity (CCAP), to create their own
“America’s Best Colleges” list. This year marks the publication’s
second annual listing. Wesleyan also appeared on the inaugural
list in 2008.
In addition to its America’s Best Colleges list, this year Forbes also
released a Best Value Rankings, comparing school quality to cost.
Wesleyan College appears 15th in the nation among colleges and
universities offering high quality education at an affordable price.
According to the magazine’s editors, “We essentially computed
a ranking that took account not only quality (as indicated by the
main ranking of 600 schools) but also costs. Where does a student
get the most ‘bang for the buck?’”
To produce the Best Value Rankings, CCAP divided each school’s
overall quality score by its average net (after allowance for
scholarship grants) tuition rate from the 2003-2004 to 2006-2007
academic years. Wesleyan is one of only 23 schools in the nation
to place in the top 100 of both the Best Colleges and Best Values
lists.
For its main America’s Best Colleges list, the CCAP report
ranked 600 undergraduate institutions based on the quality of
the education they provide and how much their students achieve
once they’ve graduated. Colleges in the report represent the
30

top 15 percent of more than 4,000 institutions nationwide. The
data compiled by CCAP show that students strongly prefer
smaller schools to large universities. The median undergraduate
enrollment in the top-50-ranked schools is less than 3,000, and
none had incoming first-year classes greater than 2,000 students
last year.
“Small liberal arts schools shine in our rankings,” notes Forbes,
“probably due to both the quality of their faculty and the personal
attention they can provide.”
The report focused on seven areas, weighted by importance:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

According to the magazine, “a good college is one that meets
student needs. While some college rankings are based partly on
school reputation as evaluated by college administrators and on
the amount of money spent, we focus on things which directly
concern incoming students: Will my courses be interesting and
rewarding? Will I get a good job after I graduate? Is it likely I
will graduate in four years? Will I incur a ton of debt getting my
degree?”

Princeton Review gives Wesleyan an Academic Rating
of 97… & other recent national recognition
The Princeton Review’s The Best 371 Colleges, 2010 Edition
Wesleyan College offers students an outstanding undergraduate
education, according to The Princeton Review. The New Yorkbased education services company features the College in the
new 2010 edition of its annual book, The Best 371 Colleges, as a
Best Southeastern College and gives high ratings for academics
and classroom experience.
Wesleyan Ranks High in Princeton Review’s
The Best 371 Colleges
•
•
•
•
•
•

The editors of The Best 371 Colleges also offer numerical school
ratings in several categories on a scale of 60 to 99. In its profile
on Wesleyan College, The Princeton Review gave the college
an Academic Rating of 97, Quality of Life Rating of 86, Financial
Aid Rating of 84, Admissions Selectivity Rating of 88, and a
Green Rating of 83. The school’s profile also quotes extensively
from Wesleyan students surveyed for the book. Among their
candid comments: “Wesleyan students come from all kinds of
backgrounds, countries, ethnic groups, and religions;” “students

are strong-willed [and] outspoken and passionately love the work
they do;” “students maintain a balance between their academics,
extracurricular activities, and community service;” “you get oneon-one time with your professors;” and “most classes are done
discussion-style, with many diverse viewpoints presented.”
The Princeton Review’s
America’s Best Value Colleges, 2010 Edition
In addition to its inclusion in The Best 371 Colleges, Wesleyan
is featured in Princeton Review’s new 2010 edition of America’s
Best Value Colleges. The guide profiles 165 colleges chosen for
their excellent academics, generous financial aid packages and/
or relatively low costs of attendance. In its narrative profile on
Wesleyan College in the book, The Princeton Review’s editors
commend the school for its “tight-knit community” and state,
“it’s a serous place for women who are serious about broadening
their horizons.”
According to Princeton Review Vice President Robert Franek, “We
considered over 30 factors to identify our ‘best value’ colleges.
They covered four areas: Academics, Tuition GPA (the sticker
price minus average amount students receive in scholarships and
grants), Financial Aid (how well colleges meet students’ financial
need), and Student Borrowing. The 90 public and 75 private
colleges we chose for this edition offer a terrific education,
plus they have impressive records of meeting students’ needs
for financial aid. We highly recommend them as America’s best
college education deals.”

Wesleyan outperforms Top 10% on NSSE
According to the seventh annual report of the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), Wesleyan College outperformed the
top 10% of colleges and universities nationally in all five categories studied: active and collaborative learning, enriching educational
experiences, level of academic challenge, student-faculty interaction, and supportive campus environment. Among first-year student
respondents and senior respondents, Wesleyan scored higher than the top 10% of all NSSE U.S. institutions on the benchmark.
Additionally, the report’s overall findings demonstrate positive indicators of a private college experience and of a single gender
educational experience over a co-educational public educational experience. Released annually in November, the NSSE project is
sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and is a national effort to improve collegiate quality. The
survey findings provide comparative standards for determining how effectively colleges are contributing to learning. The NSSE report is
based on information from about 260,000 randomly selected first-year and senior students at 523 four-year colleges and universities.

Wesleyan named a “College of Distinction”
Wesleyan College has been named a “College of Distinction” by Student Horizons, Inc. and is one of 300 colleges highlighted in its
guidebook. Through its publication and website, the organization profiles teaching-centered colleges and universities throughout
the United States that consistently excel at engaging students, fostering vibrant campus communities, and producing successful
graduates. An independent committee of high school counselors and college admissions professionals selected Wesleyan for inclusion
in the inaugural edition of the Colleges of Distinction Guidebook. Selection to the prestigious group is based on four distinctions,
or established pillars of a solid undergraduate education: student engagement in the educational process, great teaching, vibrant
learning communities, and successful outcomes. The organization examines issues that students encounter as they enter an institution,
while they are on campus, and beyond. Most importantly, Colleges of Distinction examines whether students are enriched by their
experiences at their institutions. Looking at the total college experience, the organization expanded upon the criteria identified by the
national Survey on Student Engagement (NSSE). Other criteria areas include: selectivity rate, graduation rate, retention rate, faculty
to student ratio, class size, alumni giving rate, student involvement, experimental learning opportunities, rate of employment after
graduation, and rate of graduate school acceptance.
Wesleyan Magazine Winter 2009

Meet Professor Eyler
Since joining the faculty in 2006, Wesleyan College Associate
Professor of Accounting Dr. Kel-Ann Eyler has received
accolades that continue to add up. This year, she was awarded
the Accounting Educator of the Year Award from the Georgia
Society for CPAs (GSCPA). Each year, the GSCPA Educational
Foundation presents the prestigious award to one educator
who has demonstrated outstanding contributions to
educating accountants.
Inaugurated over twenty years ago, the award program
encourages colleges and universities throughout Georgia to
maintain a high level of education for accounting students
and raises awareness in the business community about the
importance of a solid accounting education. The statewide
award also recognizes recipients for outstanding leadership
in professional organizations; writing, speaking and research
in the business field; and motivating students to excellent
performance in their scholastic and professional careers. The
award presentation was made during the GSCPA 2009 annual
meeting in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Dr. Eyler earned a B.S. from the University of Virginia and
an M.P.A. and Ph.D. from Georgia State University. Prior
to joining the Wesleyan faculty in 2006, Eyler had served as
an adjunct accounting instructor for Wesleyan’s Executive
MBA program since 2001. During that time, she also held
a position on the faculty at Brenau University as associate
professor of accounting. Eyler’s twenty-five years of teaching
experience, plus several years in public accounting and
industry, strengthen Wesleyan’s business department.
Dr. Eyler also serves as the President of the Georgia
Association of Accounting Educators (GAAE), board member
of the Georgia Society of CPAs (GSCPA) Educational
Foundation, and Co-Chair of the GSCPA College Outreach
Task Force. She has been a frequent speaker at venues that
include Mary Persons High School in Forsyth, Southwest High
School in Macon, Accounting Career Awareness Committee
High School Honors Luncheons, the GSCPA High School
Residency Program at Georgia Southern University, the FBLA
Field of Dreams program in Warner Robins, and GSCPA High
School Educators Conferences in Atlanta.
Eyler often infuses her curriculum with real world examples
as well as enriching service-learning components. In the
past years, for example, she encouraged her students
to spend some evenings and Saturdays during February,
March, and April volunteering with the Macon Housing
Authority and Wesleyan’s Lane Center for Community
Engagement and Service as part of the Volunteer Income
Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The accounting students
successfully complete a Basic Tax Preparation online course
through the IRS so that they are able to help prepare 1040EZ
tax returns for eligible participants in the VITA program.

32

ThanK you

Each year, alumnae and friends make significant gifts to
the Annual Fund to help meet the operating needs of the
College. Every gift counts in this important tradition of
collective support of Wesleyan’s commitment to excellence
in education. No matter the size, each gift is significant in
building the Wesleyan experience for our students, and
every student benefits from these thoughtful gifts.

Stock
up on:

all shades of purple! Shop
the campus bookstore for
a wide variety of Wesleyan
logo merchandise. Sweatshirts and t-shirts in all class
colors, plus other fine gifts
are available online. The
bookstore will ship items to
alumnae and customers off
campus for a standard shipping fee of $6.00. Contact
the campus bookstore:
(478) 757-5233. Shop 24/7
online: under News & Info at
www.wesleyancollege.edu.

Wesleyan has truly been blessed by your love and
support. Thank you for being a part of our success!

Special Events & Meetings at Wesleyan
Host your next meeting or event at
the world’s first college for women.
Wesleyan’s meeting space varies
from elegantly appointed parlors and
ballrooms to high tech conference
spaces. Our central Georgia location
is ideal for meetings, reunions, special

Services at (478) 757-5233 to book your
next event or request more information
about Wesleyan’s facilities. View available
spaces online under the Community
section at www.wesleyancollege.edu.
We look forward to helping make your
next event special!

Wesleyan Magazine Winter 2009

34

New Master of Education in
Early Childhood Education:
Convenient, affordable,
accelerated & designed around
an educator’s schedule
Wesleyan College is excited to
announce its newest graduate
program, the Master of
Education in Early Childhood
Education.
Approved
by
the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools (SACS)
in October, the Master of
Education (M.Ed.) has been
designed by Wesleyan faculty
to meet the needs of teachers
in the middle Georgia and
surrounding area and will
add a significant component
to
Wesleyan’s
graduate
programming. The College is
already accepting applications
and the first cohort class will
begin June of 2010.
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Early Childhood
Education degree program at Wesleyan College
was designed to prepare educational professionals
with the theory and practice necessary to become
leaders in the field of education. The program’s
focus on advanced curricula, issues, trends, teaching
methods, research, and leadership skills transitions
already accomplished certified teachers into highly
skilled practitioners of the policies, procedures, and
principles of early childhood education.
This teacher education program offers courses in
arts integration, mathematics, science, reading,
literature, social studies, child development, and
educational research. The Wesleyan M.Ed. Program
is specifically designed around an educator’s
academic calendar, offering course schedules
convenient to a busy lifestyle so that working
professionals can earn a graduate degree without
disrupting their career momentum. Summer courses

meet during the day, while
fall and spring courses meet
during the evening. Unique
hybrid course components
offer added flexibility through
partial online teaching and
learning.
This summer - to - summer
program can be completed
over fourteen months of
coursework and requires a
total of thirty-four semester
hours divided into four
semesters. Students progress
through the program in highly
selective cohorts, working
in teams along the way to
create unique personal and
professional support structures that augment the
learning process. Cohorts limited to twenty-five
students ensure that M.Ed. candidates work closely
with highly respected faculty and benefit from the
individual attention offered through Wesleyan’s
distinctive seminar-styled teaching philosophy.
M.Ed. candidates travel to other cities to observe
pedagogy and curricula in various classrooms and
compare the events in these classrooms with their
research. The program’s capstone project requires
M.Ed. candidates to complete a comprehensive
research project that allows them to reflect on the
knowledge and skills gained during the coursework
and field work, deepen their understandings of
teaching and learning, and delve into previously
published research in the field of education. 2010
program fee of $14,000 includes tuition, textbooks,
netbook computer, and field trips. More information
is available through the Wesleyan Office of Graduate
Admissions (478) 757-5263 or (888) 665-4050.

Wesleyan Magazine Winter 2009

A Message from Susan:
When I think of Wesleyan, I think of these three words,
Sisterhood, Support, and Service. These words will guide me in
my term as President of the Alumnae Association and will guide
all of the members of the Alumnae Board of Managers as we
continue our current activities and programs and as we develop
new programs. These are the words that I want all of us to keep
in mind as we think about how each of us can help Wesleyan to
become an even greater college community.
The bonds of sisterhood are strong among
Wesleyannes. When we meet a Wesleyan sister, we feel a
kinship in shared traditions, experiences, and loyalties. As
alumnae what can we do to nurture and strengthen the bonds
of sisterhood even more?
We can gather for social occasions and meet with
faculty, staff, or administrators who will update us on what is
happening at Wesleyan today. We can participate in a WOW
Day of service in our local communities, working together as
Wesleyan sisters to make a difference in the lives of others.
We can reach out to our youngest sisters, the current students
at Wesleyan, and mentor them through the E-Link program
or provide internships for them. We can help recruit students
for the College by representing Wesleyan at college fairs
and hosting events in our homes for high school students
who are interested in coming to Wesleyan. We can recognize
outstanding young women in our local high schools through
the Wesleyan First Award. We can bring students of any age to
Wesleyan for a visit - our daughters, our granddaughters, and
those of our neighbors and friends.
When we participate in activities that strengthen the
bonds of sisterhood, we are providing support for Wesleyan.
As active alumnae volunteers, in any of the activities I have
mentioned, we are supporting the students and programs of
the College through our gifts of time, resources, and money.
We also participate in service for Wesleyan when we recruit
students, get to know current students, and increase Wesleyan’s
visibility in our communities.
Sisterhood, Support, and Service –– three words
that mean so much to the College’s future. What do we hope
to accomplish as we promote all of these? We want current
students to enjoy their years at Wesleyan, be successful
academically, and be prepared to represent Wesleyan well when
they enter the professional world, continue their education,
raise their families, and serve in their communities. We also
want to ensure Wesleyan’s future by helping young women
choose Wesleyan, by providing students with an exceptional
educational community, and by encouraging current students
to become loyal and supportive alumnae who will want to
contribute to the College and be prepared to secure her future
for new generations of Wesleyannes.
We are fortunate to have members of the Board of
Managers who are so enthusiastic and full of ideas to support
our alma mater. They are already making a difference as they
put our plans into action. Won’t you join us in our efforts?
We will be delighted and so grateful to have your help! With
the collective energy and enthusiasm of all alumnae, we will
accomplish great things for Wesleyan.

Now is the time to Nominate! The nomination committee of the Board of Managers of the Wesleyan College Alumnae Association
continues to update our database of alumnae leaders. Identifying women who will be good candidates for future service on the board
and establishing a large, diverse, and willing pool of volunteers who will serve the board and association in various endeavors is our
on-going goal. If you are willing to serve or would like to nominate a Wesleyanne to serve on the Board or on board committees,
please contact Kathy Bradley, member-at-large for nominations at kathy.sandhill@gmail.com or click on get involved under the
alumnae section of the website (www.wesleyancollege.edu) to download a nomination form.

Alumnae Connections
Alumnae club meetings and activities focused on the importance of alumnae/student connections, alumnae involvement in student
activities and leadership programs, and alumnae service opportunities that strengthen the bonds of Sisterhood and provide new
avenues of Support for and Service to the College. Bringing young women to visit Wesleyan is where it all begins. In February, the
Wesleyan College Alumnae Association (WCAA) and the Office of Admission are partnering in a new initiative to bring more young
women to campus. Mark your calendar for FEBRUARY 27, 2010, and return to the college during STUNT weekend with a prospective
student for Welcome to Wesleyan Weekend. And, don’t forget Alumnae Weekend dates, April 16-18, 2010. See you there!

Georgia
Atlanta

Atlanta Club President Lisa Bridges Hines ’98 welcomed members to a
Fall Luncheon held at Mary Mac’s Tea Room to meet Wesleyan College
Alumnae Association President Susan Woodward Walker ’70, who
spoke to the group about “Sisterhood, Support, and Service.” The Club’s
annual planning retreat took place in August.

Macon

Macon Young Alumnae were invited to participate in WOW! A Day for
Macon (Wesleyan’s community service day) in September. The group
also helped the alumnae office host a Student Tailgating Party in October
at the Mathews Athletic Center before the Wesleyan vs. Agnes Scott
soccer game. Melissa Landrum, assistant alumnae director, coordinated
plans for the event. Parrish Smotherman ’06, Lauren Hamblin ’06,
Amy Fletcher ’06, and Maria Kristina “M.K.” Stanley ’06 served as
tailgating hostesses.

Illinois
Chicago

In August, Chicago area alumnae enjoyed a brunch at The University
Club, where they met with President Ruth Knox ’75, WCAA President
Susan Walker, Alumnae Admissions Program Director Tracy Ward
Tilley ’89 and with students, faculty, and trustees participating in the

2009 Wesleyan Leadership Institute. Leslie Bradberry Mastroianni
’88 and Rebecca Sage ’90 served as alumnae hostesses for the event.
Leslie also coordinated plans for the group to tour the Modern Art Wing
of the Art Institute of Chicago. Leadership Institute founding Trustees
Alexis Xides Bighley ’67, Diane A. Lumpkin ’63, and Lynda Brinks
Pfeiffer ’63 were on hand to mentor students.

Wesleyan College Alumnae Association
Alumnae Office

The WCAA welcomed new students to Wesleyan, including new
international students who received special “goodie” bags. The WCAA
also welcomed the Class of 2010 back to campus at the annual Senior
Midnight Breakfast held in August. WCAA President Susan Walker spoke
to seniors about staying connected to the college and participating in
Wesleyan traditions such as Candlelighting. In September, the Board of
Managers of the WCAA held its annual retreat in Young Harris, Georgia,
at the home of Alumna Trustee Glennda Kingry Elliott ’65, to discuss
goals and plans for the upcoming year. The alumnae office sponsored
a reunion planning session in October. House Party serves as a venue
for class reunion leadership committees to meet and finalize plans for
Alumnae Weekend 2010. Plans for local club WOW Days (Women of
Wesleyan service days) are underway. For more information on how
to start a WOW Day in your community and help raise awareness of
the College in your city, contact the alumnae office at 478.757.5172 or
contact csnow@wesleyancollege.edu.

WELCOME TO WESLEYAN WEEKEND
Have you thought about bringing your daughter, granddaughter, cousin,
niece or neighbor to visit Wesleyan? Now’s your chance. The Board of
Managers of the Wesleyan College Alumnae Association, along with the
Admission Office, is planning a fun overnight visit during Wesleyan’s
most exciting weekend – STUNT!
Make plans now to bring someone to Wesleyan to show her what we
have to offer. You and your visitor will stay in Jones Dorm on STUNT
night and enjoy lots of Wesleyan hospitality. Expect to see more details
later, but for now mark your calendar for February 27, 2010, and invite
someone to Wesleyan!
Pictured left: Jody Bethea Riggs ’88, WCAA past president, and her
daughter, Mary Katherine Riggs, at Wesleyan.

7. More Senior Midnight Breakfast smiles.
8. Members of the WCAA Board of
Managers enjoy retreat in Young
Harris, GA.
9.

Giving Back. The WCAA Board kicks off
a WOW board service project with
Wesleyan’s Lane Center that provided
personal supply kits for the homeless.

10. Soon to be Golden. Members of the Class
of 1960 plan for their 50th reunion in
April 2010.
11. Celebrating 55 Years of Sisterhood.
Members of the Class of 1955 make
reunion plans at House Party.
12. 1970 Reunion Co-Chairs Brenda Witham
McGinn and Diane Dennington Abdi
enjoy House Party.
13. (From left) Susan Allen, Charlotte Battle
Everbach ’52, recipient of the Atlantic
Center for the Arts’ Spirit Enrichment
Award, and Ruth Knox celebrate in New
Smyrna Beach, FL.

Sympathy
The Wesleyan College Alumnae Association extends sympathy to:
Celetta Clarke Grice ’36 of
Marshallville, GA, on the death of
her sister, Josephine Clarke Clay
’40, of Wheaton, IL, on July, 11,
2009.
Martha Zachry Thwaite ’39 of
Atlanta, on the death of her sisterin-law, Mary Lou Thwaite Scribner
’30 of Highlands, NC, and Hyannis
Port, MA, on February 7, 2009.
Florence “Flippy” Sitton Denton
’45 of Macon, on the death of her
sister, Katherine “Kitty” Sitton
Pettit ’45, of Columbia, MD, on
May 13, 2009.
Mary Frances Webb Nall ’45 of
Thomaston, GA, on the death of
her sister, Sarah Webb Bryan ’41,
of Northampton, PA, on October
9, 2009.
Beth Quillian Johnson ’48 of
Chattanooga, TN, on the death
of her sister, Joe Anne Quillian,
M.D. ’50, of Chattanooga, TN, on
July 17, 2009.
Anne Johnson Kalinin ’48 of Pine
Mountain, GA, on the death of her
husband, Alexander Boris Kalinin,
on July 24, 2009.
Anne Whipple Alderman
Murphey ’48/’49 of Macon, on
the death of her daughter, Amelia
Anne Alderman, M.D. ’75, also of
Macon, on August 7, 2009.
Mary Lane Edwards Hartshorn
’49 of Saint Augustine, FL, on the
death of her husband, David L.
Hartshorn, on August 23, 2009.

Patricia “Pat” Pope Chilton ’50 of
Marietta, GA, on the death of her
husband, Warren Rembert Chilton,
Jr., on September 10, 2009.

Doris V. Manning ’60 of Asheville,
NC, on the death of her brother,
Charles Manning, of Apopka, FL,
on May 7, 2009.

Holly Lowe Singleton ’69 of Stone
Mountain, GA, on the death of her
sister, Susan Lowe Borucki ’71, of
Cumming, GA, on August 8, 2009.

Betty “BeBe” Banks Jarrell
Oetjen ’53 of Madison, AL, on the
death of her mother, Elizabeth
“Betty” Banks Jarrell ’26, of
LaGrange, GA, on May 15, 2009.

Linda Vogel Pfleger ’61 of Lorida,
FL, on the death of her husband,
James “Jim” Pfleger, on May 2, 2009.

Ruth Norman Solomon ’74
of Macon, on the death of her
mother, Carolyn Pharr Norman
’42 in September 2009.

Dr. Sandra Combs Lewis ’61 of
Macon, on the death of her father,
Robert M. Combs, Sr., on June 27,
2009, at 102 ½ years of age.

Jackie Spradlin Stallings ’53 of
Newnan, GA, on the death of her
husband, Emmett Stallings Jr.
(Jay), on August 20, 2009.

Jo Anne Fagan Hanft ’62 of St.
Simons Island, GA, on the death of
her aunt, Josephine Clarke Clay
’40, of Wheaton, IL, on July 11,
2009.

Carole Coleman Bruley ’54 of
Sea Island, GA, on the death of
her cousin, Avalo Donovan Hill
’51, of New Smyrna Beach, FL, on
March 30, 2009.

Martha Clower Thomas ’64 of
Stone Mountain, GA, on the death
of her mother, Nell Clower, on
April 22, 2009, at age 99.

Barbara Brown Dean ’55 of
Eastman, GA, on the death of her
husband, Donald Fay Dean, on
June 19, 2009.

Myra Boyette ’65 of Atlanta, on
the death of her mother, Sallie
Touchton Boyette, of Valdosta,
GA, on June 9, 2009.

Mary “M.C.” Webb Lockhart ’55
of Stone Mountain, GA, on the
death of her cousin, Sarah Webb
Bryan ’41, of Northampton, PA,
on October 9, 2009.

Trudie Parker Sessions ’65
of Macon, on the death of her
mother, Mary Eda Hale Parker, of
McDonough, GA, on September
21, 2009.

Eleanor Gravely Fleming ’57 of
Quincy, FL, on the death of her
husband, Walter “Walt” Saunders
Fleming, on May 11, 2009.
Carol Clay LaPides ’60 of Atlanta,
on the death of her husband, H.B.
“Tony” LaPides, on June 18, 2009.
Gloria Boyette ’60 of Valdosta,
GA, on the death of her mother,
Sallie Touchton Boyette, also of
Valdosta, on June 9, 2009.

Rita Parker McGarity ’75 of
McDonough, GA, on the death of
her mother, Mary Eda Hale Parker,
also of McDonough, on September
21, 2009.
Sharon Webb ’76 of Stow, MA, on
the death of her aunt, Sarah Webb
Bryan ’41, of Northampton, PA,
on October 9, 2009.
Celetta Grice Callaway ’77 of
Cypress, TX, on the death of her
aunt, Josephine Clarke Clay ’40,
of Wheaton, IL, on July 11, 2009.
Wendy Coffman Cook ’78 of
Lilburn, GA, on the death of her
husband, David William Cook, on
June 15, 2009.
Deena Harrell Cherry ’80 of
Warner Robins, GA, on the death
of her mother-in-law, Sandra M.
Holton, of Macon, on May 5, 2009.

Lynn Hays Davis ’68 of Macon, on
the death of her mother, Susanna
Hicks Hays, of Lizella, GA, on
March 28, 2009.

Robyn Miller Schopp ’91 of
Forsyth, GA, on the death of her
husband, Daniel Wright Schopp,
on September 8, 2009.

Dale Parker Craig ’69 of
McDonough, GA, on the death of
her mother, Mary Eda Hale Parker,
also of McDonough, on September
21, 2009.

We send apologies to Betty Jo Cochran
Ridley ’63 of Clarkesville, GA, who
was listed as deceased incorrectly in the
last magazine, and to her sister, Lynn
Cochran Thompson ’61.

Marriages

The Wesleyan College Alumnae Association extends congratulations to:
Gloria Anne Dixon, M.D. ’49 of
Birmingham, AL, who married
Charles Yarborough. The couple
resides in Birmingham, AL.
Janet Wilson ’92 of Memphis,
TN, who married Stephen Haynet
in December 2008.
Katherine “Katie” Murphy ’05 of
Culloden, GA, who married Patrick
Thompson on April 12, 2008.
40

Serena Ingram ’05 of
Stockbridge, GA, who married
Matthew Roy on June 28, 2009,
in Jekyll Island, GA. The couple
resides in Stockbridge, GA.
Paige Carter ’06 of Warner
Robins, GA, who married David
S. Tyo on June 28, 2008. The
couple will be stationed at Fort
Lewis, WA, in September 2009.

Stephanie Dunbar ’06
of Woodstock, GA, who
married James Alexander Lee
on September 12, 2009, in
Dahlonega, GA, at Forrest Hills
Resort. Rev. Bill Hurdle officiated.
The couple currently resides in
Canton, GA.
Melanie Reed ’06 of Rex, GA,
who married Arthur Lee Williams
III on October 4th, 2009. The
couple resides in Marietta, GA.

Angel Feightner ’08 of Warner
Robins, GA, who married Andrew
James Poe on May 16, 2009. The
couple resides in Las Vegas, NV.

Ruth Powell Storts ’93 and Brian of Midland,
GA, on the birth of a daughter, Carter Brooks
Storts, on September 18, 2009. Big brother Owen
Storts is thrilled.
Merry Alicia Barton ’95 of Monks Corner, SC,
on the birth of a daughter, Anastasia Grace, on
July 1, 2009.
Aimee Morris Lashley ’96 and Derek of Macon,
on the birth of a son, Ethan Cade Lashley,
on October 21, 2009. Big brother Camden is
thrilled, as is proud great grandmother Margaret
Duckworth Sewell ’49.

A Special Thank You from Miss Julia

95 years & Counting . . .
Julia Munroe Woodward ‘34, affectionately known to Wesleyannes
everywhere as “Miss Julia,” extends her heartfelt thanks to
members of her Wesleyan Family who celebrated her 95th birthday
by sending cards, notes, emails, phone calls, and other thoughtful
expressions of love and good wishes.
Miss Julia celebrated her 95th birthday surrounded by family
throughout the July 4th weekend, beginning with a Friday evening
supper at the Sawano Country Club. Her actual birthday party was
held on Saturday in her childhood home in Quincy, FL, where her 80
immediate family members honored her with a luncheon followed
by birthday cake and ice cream and a pool party later that evening.
All of her 35 great grandchildren attended! On Sunday, her family
attended church together where the congregation sang “Happy
Birthday.” (According to the preacher, more than half the attendees were Woodwards!) The
family shared lunch together before bidding Mother/Grandmother/Gigi a fond farewell with
wishes for many more happy birthdays.

Natalie Puckett Evans ’02 and Dave of
McDonough, GA, on the birth of a son, Gabriel
“Gabe” Scott Evans, on October 12, 2009.
Kelsey Rourk Simons ’04 and Christopher of
Vancouver, WA, on the birth of a second son,
Arthur Britt Simons, on October 6, 2009. Arthur
joins big brother Oliver Simons.

After taking a year off before graduate school, Rudo Mudiwa ’09 wanted to become more involved
with Wesleyan and give back in whatever ways she could. As a former student participant in the
Summer Leadership Institute, Rudo had the opportunity to meet with Wesleyan alumnae. She
said her exposure to the diverse and vibrant pool of alumnae that she encountered during that
time led her and friend Natalia Pszenny ’09 to create an online forum as a way for all students to
hear from alumnae and to get advice from them, particularly career-oriented advice, on an ongoing basis. According to Rudo, “an online forum seemed to be the best medium since it doesn’t
take up too much time for alumnae to be involved, and would foster a sense of community.
Students can post questions about careers, graduate school, and other ‘grown-up’ issues, to
which alumnae on the site can choose to respond.” We say, “Kudos to Rudo and Natalia” for
taking the lead and fast forwarding their alumnae volunteer efforts by providing a round-theclock password protected career service that will connect alumnae with current students. Check
out The Wesconnect Forum at http://wesconnect.lefora.com. or access it through links on the
alumnae or career development office pages on www.wesleyancollege.edu.

Notes in between are

going GREEN!

Please enjoy reading all class notes submitted to the college since our last
magazine online at www.wesleyancollege.edu. Our next magazine with full class
note coverage will include notes submitted from October 2009 to April 30, 2010.
To submit class notes online go to www.wesleyancollege.edu and click on update
my information under the alumnae section or mail to: Alumnae Office, Wesleyan
College, 4760 Forsyth Rd. Macon, GA 31210.

continued from page 5

many women serving.” Judy was encouraged by her husband and was ordained
in 1970 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Judy
is retired now but, because she believes
no one ever actually retires from ministry,
she still serves in several capacities as a
volunteer.
Ordained or not, paid or not, many
Wesleyan women claim successful
careers in ministry and have embraced
leadership roles that advance Christian
education. According to Marynell
Sampley Waite ’40, one of the reasons for
the establishment of Wesleyan College
was to develop church leaders as teachers
and missionaries. As the historian of the
South Georgia Conference of The United
Methodist Church, Marynell dedicated
nearly thirty years to the preservation and
celebration of Methodist history. In 1974,
she became the first woman (as well as the
first lay person) to chair the Conference
Commission on Archives and History. As
a member of the commission, Marynell
worked to develop the historical center
and library that became the foundation of
the Methodist Museum.
During the 1960s and 1970s, when the
traditional roles of women in the church
were being redefined, Wesleyan Pioneer
Courtney Knight Gaines ’51 helped lead
the transition. She was appointed to the
Conference Board of Missions and later
to the Conference Board on Ecumenical
Affairs, positions that were previously unavailable to women. Throughout her years
of service to the church, Courtney has
inspired countless others. Virginia Harris
Howard ’45 also has served The United
Methodist Church in many capacities,
lending support to children and providing
assistance to senior citizens. Friends affectionately refer to her as “the bag lady,”
recognizing her efforts to raise money for
large-print devotionals for housebound
seniors. Church members donate aluminum cans to the project and Virginia hauls
them home in bags. She pulls off the tabs,
crushes and cleans the cans, and packages
them to be sold to recycling centers.
As a newlywed, Angela Wilkerson O’Kelley
’43 and her husband helped found Belvedere United Methodist Church in Decatur,
Georgia. In 1960, she helped found the
Belvedere pre-school and, for fourteen
years, served as its director. This was just
the beginning of Angela’s life-long service
in major roles as a pastor’s wife. Anne
Carlton Blanchard ’47 spent twenty years
as a math teacher, but she has spent fiftyfive years as a dedicated and largely unpaid worker in the churches served by her
late husband, Methodist Minister Richard
Blanchard. From 1961 to 1974, Anne au42

thored dozens of articles for Roundtable,
Workers with Youth, and New Creation,
all nationally circulated publications. Her
work has appeared in thirty-five different
books and magazines and consists of
worship materials, articles on recreation,
plays, and study books. One of Anne’s
dramatic works, The Vineyard, has been
produced for network television.
Not all women in ministry are called to
serve in a traditional church setting. In
Nashville in 1984, Lucy Neeley Adams ‘56
began telling the story behind hymns for
a radio program she created, The Story
Behind The Song, that aired on Christian
radio stations throughout Tennessee. Later
she wrote articles for the local newspaper
and, in 2000, published 52 Hymn Story
Devotions through Abingdon Press. The
volume includes fifty-two stories surrounded
by scripture and prayer. Each devotion
closes with the words of the hymn’s first
verse. Today, Lucy lives with her husband,
a retired Methodist preacher, in North
Carolina and writes stories of religion
and faith for the local newspaper, The
Enterprise Mountaineer.
Award-winning Journalist Betty Thompson
’47 also used her writing to minister,
serving the General Board of Global
Ministries for thirty-five years. As the
director of public relations, she served
as the chief spokesperson for the global
mission agency of The United Methodist
Church. Betty began her career as the
public relations director of her alma mater.
As a Wesleyan undergraduate, she edited
the College paper and was a correspondent for the Atlanta Journal Constitution
and The Macon Telegraph. She is author
of three books: Turning World, The Healing
Fountain, and A Chance to Change.
Betty was the first woman to be appointed
an editor-at-large of the distinguished
weekly The Christian Century. In 1994,
she received the Lipphard Award for
distinguished service to religious journalism. Recognizing integrity and courage,
the award is the highest honor given by
the Associated Church Press. Also in
1994, The United Methodist Association
of Christian Communication named Betty
“Communicator of the Year.” In 1998, The
World Association for Christian Communication designated her a life member. In
2001, she was inducted into the Methodist
Communicators Hall of Fame. Generously,
Betty has decided to donate her papers
to Wesleyan.
Other Wesleyan women minister through
their work with church-affiliated organizations or they serve as disciples by infusing
Christian principles into other careers.

Kiera Sheedy Camron ’98 served as the
executive director at Open Door Women’s
Clinic in Tallahassee where women with
unplanned pregnancies go for help and
advice. As a Dominican Sister of Hawthorne
and the home administrator at Rosary
Hill in Hawthorne, New York, Sister Mary
Joseph (Ruth Powers ’75) has given her
life to God and cared for hundreds of
terminally ill cancer patients. Ruth’s
vocation is not a career but a way of life
motivated by intense love of God. Fann
Dewar Greer ’66 is a pastoral psychologist with Tidewater Pastoral Counseling
Services in Norfolk, Virginia. Organized
in 1974, the counseling practice serves
more than 1,500 clients annually in eight
centers. The staff are ordained or licensed
clergy representing a wide variety of denominations who have specialized training
and certification through the American
Association of Pastoral Counselors.
For many other Wesleyan women in ministry,
the call to service requires world travel and
great sacrifice. Sally Johnson Jackson ’75
has been a missionary in Guatemala for
twenty-two years, raising her children in
this work as well. Sally’s daughter, Tamalyn
Jackson Guiterrez ’98, serves as director
of a major human development project
for the poor in Guatemala. Another
Wesleyanne, Eloise Terrell Gray ’80, took
her fifth trip to Kenya in August. Her
ministry, Touching the Heart of God, works
with underprivileged children providing
food and education.
Christine Morana ’06, along with
ninety-nine other young adults, is serving
NET (National Evangelization Teams)
Ministries. This year, she will spend nine
months traveling across the country and
holding retreats for nearly 8,500 teens in
grades six through twelve. NET’s goal is to
challenge young Catholics to love Christ
and embrace the life of the church.
“Ultimately, we’ll be touching lives oneon-one with the Gospel message,” said
Morana. “We’ll just start igniting the fire
in them.”
Morana has been preparing for this work
her entire life, and claims to be fulfilling
the role that she has been called –– in
heart, mind, body, and soul –– to perform.
Though the Catholic Church has allowed
only men to serve in the role of priest,
Christine views disciples such as Martha,
her sister Mary, and Mary Magdalene as
women who also played an important
role in community. “Although gender
does make us different,” she said, “the
significance of our roles and the love with
which we serve are of equal importance.
Our ministry would be ineffective without
one gender or the other.”